ARUP Consult Includes Updated Information on Biomarker Testing for Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative brain disease affecting 55 million people worldwide; many of whom are undiagnosed, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Recently, diagnosis moved from a clinical diagnosis only confirmable by autopsy to a biological diagnosis through the use of imaging and fluid biomarkers, and laboratory tests play a critical role. ARUP Consult^®, a free source of expert guidance in laboratory testing, has up-to-date resources for clinicians, including details on the use of fluid biomarker tests such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Aβ42/40, p-tau181/Aβ42, and t-tau/Aβ42, as well as plasma p-tau217 to help them order the right test at the right time.

"The table of fluid biomarkers in the AD Consult topic provides an overview of core biomarkers, ones directly related to AD pathology, as well as nonspecific biomarkers, which provide evidence of pathologic processes involved in AD, but are not AD-specific," said Heather Nelson, PhD, DABCC, medical director of Clinical Chemistry. "The high-level overview is a great starting point for additional research and includes current references individuals can refer to for a deeper dive."

ARUP started offering the Alzheimer's Disease Markers, CSF test in May. The test measures total tau (tTau), beta amyloid 1-42 (Abeta42), and phosphorylated tau 181 (pTau181) concentrations in CSF to produce two ratios: tTau/Abeta42 and pTau181/Abeta42, Nelson said. Interpretation of the ratios can contribute to an AD diagnosis when considered along with other clinical evaluations.

In addition, ARUP offers molecular genetic tests, including APOE testing to support AD diagnosis and facilitate treatment decisions with approved monoclonal antibody therapies. Information about APOE testing is included in the Consult topic.

A free educational resource, ARUP Consult is funded entirely by ARUP Laboratories. ARUP medical directors, who are active faculty members at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah and its Department of Pathology, review and contribute to the content on ARUP Consult.

Users can subscribe to receive monthly emails about updates and additions to ARUP Consult. ARUP also welcomes feedback and suggestions via the Feedback page on arupconsult.com.

Learn more about ARUP's Alzheimer's Disease Markers, CSF test here.

Bonnie Stray, [email protected]