#p-tau217

#p-tau217

The paper's authors note that while "clock models based on amyloid and tau positron emission tomography have shown promise in predicting the onset of AD symptoms, a model based on plasma biomarkers would be more accessible." The scientists doing this research found that the ratio of phosphorylated to non-phosphorylated tau at position 217 ("%p-tau217") could predict the arrival of Alzheimer's symptoms within three and four years.

But questions remain about the accuracy and uncertainty of these tests, and experts caution that the assays aren't ready for prime time. While the results here are encouraging, they are not yet at the level of having significant clinical benefit for individual patients, says Corey Bolton, a clinical neuropsychologist and an assistant professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, who was not involved in the new study.