Alzheimer's research looks at how blood testing could improve diagnosing the disease

TULSA, Okla. — Alzheimer’s researchers shared promising news this week when it comes to diagnosing the disease.

Researchers shared their findings at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference. A single blood test might be the future of diagnosing the disease.

“There’s currently not a single test that can be used to definitely say, 'yes this is Alzheimer’s disease',” said Meggie Gaskins with Tulsa's Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

That could change with a simple prick as researchers dig into what our blood can say about Alzheimer’s. New research was shared this week at an international conference.

“This really is the Super Bowl in Alzheimer’s research, we learn a lot,” said Gaskins.

Gaskins says out of three blood test studies, one showed to be 90 percent accurate at diagnosing Alzheimer’s.

“Physicians were 63 percent accurate and specialists were around 70 percent accurate. So, these blood tests are a huge deal,” said Gaskins.

The study consisted of just more than 1,200 people. She says the results could pave the way for a larger, more diverse, study that needs to happen to know how successful blood testing is.

“We want to make sure that when we’re getting these diagnostic tools that it’s working for everyone. What is going to be the best practice for everyone overall, in all these different populations,” Gaskins said.

Currently blood testing is only happening in clinical study settings.

“You could potentially one day in the future, be able to walk into your doctor's office and get a blood test, as opposed to right now, we’re using pet scans, MRI’s, lumbar punctures, things that are a lot more invasive, not quite as accessible, also expensive,” Gaskins said.

Gaskins says by encouraging research like this, the hope is to make the testing more widely available.