A recent study conducted by researchers at the Karolinska Institutet has unveiled how common health conditions can affect blood tests for Alzheimer’s disease. Published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, the research highlights the influence of factors such as kidney function, cholesterol levels, and diabetes on the accuracy of blood-based biomarkers (BBMs) used for Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
As blood tests for Alzheimer’s gain traction in clinical practice, offering a less invasive alternative to spinal fluid tests and brain scans, this study raises important questions regarding their reliability in patients with other health issues. Researchers analyzed blood samples from 311 patients at the Karolinska University Hospital Memory Clinic, utilizing clinical data from the GEDOC biobank to assess how various health conditions correlate with Alzheimer’s biomarkers.
Key Findings on Biomarkers and Comorbidities
The study, led by researcher Makrina Daniilidou at the Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, demonstrated significant links between several health factors and changes in biomarker levels. “We found that several health factors were linked to changes in biomarker levels,” Daniilidou stated. Notably, conditions such as diabetes and dyslipidemia were shown to influence amyloid markers, even after accounting for the presence of Alzheimer’s pathology. This suggests that these factors have effects that extend beyond brain health.
One of the standout findings of the research is the resilience of the p-tau217 biomarker, which is regarded as the most promising for Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Despite the influence of comorbidities, p-tau217 remained highly robust. Conversely, the Aβ42/40 ratio exhibited greater sensitivity to systemic health factors, indicating that patient health could significantly alter the interpretation of biomarker results.
Implications for Clinical Practice
The implications of this research are substantial. While the majority of biomarkers continue to perform reliably, the study emphasizes the importance of considering a patient’s overall health profile when interpreting results. “These tests are a big step forward,” Daniilidou noted. “Our results show they are reliable, but also highlight the need for a more personalized approach.”
The research team plans to validate these findings in larger and more diverse populations, including cognitively healthy individuals at increased risk for dementia. The ultimate objective is to integrate adjusted biomarker models into clinical workflows, thereby enhancing the precision of Alzheimer’s diagnoses.
The study, entitled “Enhancing diagnostic precision in Alzheimer’s disease: Impact of comorbidities on blood biomarkers for clinical integration,” features senior co-authors Professor Miia Kivipelto and Associate Professor Anna Matton from Karolinska Institutet. Their work is expected to guide future research and clinical practices in the field of Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis and treatment.
As the understanding of Alzheimer’s continues to evolve, studies like this one are crucial in ensuring that diagnostic tools remain effective and reliable, particularly for patients facing multiple health challenges.
