Advances in diagnostic methods that can make diagnosis faster, less invasive, and more economical may help in timely intervention of neurodegenerative disease. However, the report notes that questions remain about their real-world impact on patient outcomes. Ashley Clark, senior medical analyst at GlobalData, said blood-based biomarker tests that are cost-effective and efficient in early assessment , has made a huge leap in diagnosis and is being used for conditions such as heart attacks.
“For Alzheimer's disease, reliable and accessible testing could lead to earlier detection, giving patients more time to make interventions and lifestyle changes,” Clark said. According to GlobalData's pipeline product database, more than 150 in vitro diagnostic tests for Alzheimer's disease are currently in development. However, the USFDA has not yet given full approval to blood-based Alzheimer's tests.
“With high negative predictive values, blood-based tests can serve as reliable screening tools, helping to reserve hospital resources for procedures like PET scans that need it most,” Clark said. Needed.” GlobalData reports that at least five pipeline devices are now in the regulatory approval process in the US and Europe, yet ethical and regulatory challenges remain. These tests raise concerns about overdiagnosis, exposure of sensitive health data, and the possibility of insurers adjusting premiums based on test results. The report notes that predictive testing also presents ethical considerations regarding informed consent and potential psychological effects for patients who still learn their risks in a disease that lacks treatment.
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