Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Finger Prick Blood Test to Enable Early Alzheimer’s Detection

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 20 Nov 2024

A new approach using a quick finger prick and a few drops of blood on a card that can be sent in regular mail could make Alzheimer’s testing much more accessible worldwide. More...

The new test involves collecting one or two drops of blood from a finger prick onto a special card that immediately separates the blood cells from the plasma. After about 15 minutes, once the card has dried, it is mailed to a laboratory where high-sensitivity techniques are used for analysis. The biomarkers used in this test have been developed over a long period and have demonstrated strong performance, first in cerebrospinal fluid, then in venous blood samples, and now in blood taken from superficial vessels in the finger.

The European study, led by researchers at the University of Gothenburg (Gothenburg, Sweden), included capillary blood samples from 203 participants who took the finger prick test at one of five memory clinics across Europe. The test kits were then mailed to the neurochemistry department at the University of Gothenburg, where biomarkers for Alzheimer’s, such as pTau217, were analyzed. This test could be available for use within a few years. Another European study is already in progress to assess whether the test can be self-administered, allowing individuals to perform the finger prick and send the sample to the lab without the need for healthcare personnel.

This development comes at a time when Alzheimer’s treatments are advancing, with the drug lecanemab already approved in several countries outside the EU. Early detection is crucial for the effectiveness of these treatments. The test may also open up new opportunities for research into Alzheimer’s disease, including its genetic profile and global prevalence. However, researchers stress that this test is not intended for widespread population screening. The World Health Organization (WHO) currently advises against general screening for Alzheimer’s disease, as treatment options have traditionally been limited, making such screenings ethically questionable.

“The simple capillary blood test works almost as well as venous samples, but unlike traditional blood tests, this new test does not require transport on dry ice,” said Hanna Huber, one of the study’s authors. “This could significantly increase accessibility to Alzheimer’s testing in countries and regions lacking the infrastructure needed for high-sensitivity analyses.”


Gold Member
Antipsychotic TDM Assays
Saladax Antipsychotic Assays
Portable Electronic Pipette
Mini 96
New
Capillary Blood Collection Tube
IMPROMINI M3
New
Clinical Chemistry System
P780
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: New research points to protecting blood during radiation therapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Pioneering Model Measures Radiation Exposure in Blood for Precise Cancer Treatments

Scientists have long focused on protecting organs near tumors during radiotherapy, but blood — a vital, circulating tissue — has largely been excluded from dose calculations. Each blood cell passing through... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The test could streamline clinical decision-making by identifying ideal candidates for immunotherapy upfront (Xiao, Y. et al. Cancer Biology & Medicine July 2025, 20250038)

Blood Test Predicts Immunotherapy Efficacy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking targeted therapies, making immunotherapy a promising yet unpredictable option. Current biomarkers such as PD-L1 expression or tumor... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Conceptual design of the CORAL capsule for microbial sampling in the small intestine (H. Mohammed et al., Device (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.device.2025.100904)

Coral-Inspired Capsule Samples Hidden Bacteria from Small Intestine

The gut microbiome has been linked to conditions ranging from immune disorders to mental health, yet conventional stool tests often fail to capture bacterial populations in the small intestine.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.