Quest Diagnostics has taken a groundbreaking step in Alzheimer’s detection by launching AD-Detect, a direct-to-consumer blood test that can identify abnormal levels of beta amyloid, a crucial Alzheimer’s protein that may appear years before dementia symptoms manifest.
Priced at $399, this test employs the same cutting-edge technology as a blood test previously made available to doctors in early 2022. Dr. Michael Racke, Quest’s medical director of neurology, emphasized the test’s potential benefits, stating, “One of the advantages of having an amyloid test is that it lets you know, potentially years in advance of even being symptomatic, that you are at risk for Alzheimer’s.”
The announcement comes shortly after Leqembi, a drug from Eisai and partner Biogen, received full U.S. regulatory approval earlier this month. Leqembi aims to remove amyloid from the brain and has demonstrated the ability to slow Alzheimer’s progression in early-stage patients. Another similar treatment called donanemab, developed by Eli Lilly, is currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Previous treatments for Alzheimer’s have primarily focused on addressing symptoms, leaving the underlying disease unattended. However, Quest’s AD-Detect test targets adults aged 18 and above who may experience mild memory loss or have a family history of Alzheimer’s, offering them insights into their individual risk for the disease.
To access the test, users must purchase it through Quest’s website and subsequently arrange an appointment with a telemedicine doctor, who will place the order on their behalf. If the results are positive, individuals will be connected with a doctor from an independent physician network to discuss next steps and potentially share the findings with other healthcare providers, as stated by the company.
Quest’s lab-developed test, conducted within a single laboratory, has not undergone FDA review. However, such tests generally do not require FDA scrutiny if prescribed by a healthcare provider. This pioneering initiative opens up new possibilities for early Alzheimer’s detection, empowering individuals to proactively understand and address their risk for the disease.
