Alzheimer's Blood Test | AD-Detect Test for Alzheimer's Disease Test

AD-Detect Test for Alzheimer’s Disease Risk

Exclusively available at Quest. This screening test provides an amyloid ratio, which is a risk factor of Alzheimer’s disease. This ratio is based on two biomarkers that have been reported as helping to detect early signs associated with the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. This can potentially help you and your doctor design interventions and a management plan that is most beneficial to you. Read more

Test details

Sample type:

Blood

Preparation:

You do not need to do anything special to prepare for the sample collection. Fasting is not required for this test.

Test type: In Person

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$399.00

+ $13.00 Physician Service Fee

Quantity

What

The AD-Detect Test for Alzheimer’s Disease, a blood test for Alzheimer’s disease, measures A-beta 42 and A-beta 40 biomarkers (a biological marker of a molecule found in the body that may be used in evaluating a disease state) in the blood and provides the A-beta 42/40 ratio. The ratio between these two molecular biomarkers may help to detect risk of Alzheimer’s disease in an individual.

Who

Anyone with a family history of Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive decline, brain trauma, or other risks. See full risk factors at purchase.

How

Blood

Where

Find a location near you

Schedule an appointment, then visit a Quest Diagnostics patient service center location.

About the Test

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive brain-related disorder that affects memory and understanding and can progress to complete mental and physical impairment. This Alzheimer’s test measures A-beta 42 and A-beta 40 biomarkers and provides the A-beta 42/40 blood levels ratio. This ratio between these two molecular biomarkers may help to detect the risk of Alzheimer’s disease before severe mental decline.

For most people with Alzheimer’s disease — those who have the late-onset variety — symptoms first appear when someone is in their mid-60s or later. When the disease develops before the age of 65, it’s considered early-onset Alzheimer’s, which can begin as early as a person’s 30s, although this is rare.

While there is no cure for AD, there are treatments that can help slow its progression when detected early enough. Additionally, there are ongoing clinical trials where new therapies are continuously being developed and tested. Early detection can help encourage the necessary discussions with your doctor so you can minimize further risk through lifestyle modification and have discussions of treatment should they become available.

This test may be right for you if you are experiencing mild cognitive impairment or decline (trouble remembering, concentrating, making decisions, etc.) and have one or more of the following risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s disease:

Have a family history of Alzheimer’s disease
Had past diagnosed head trauma or brain injury
Consume alcohol in excessive amounts

Additionally, if you are younger than 50 years old, this test may not be right for you.

Blood-biomarker tests for early detection may include those associated with the peptide amyloid-β (also known as A-beta). The AD-Detect Test for Alzheimer’s Disease measures two peptide amyloid- βs: A-beta 42 and A-beta 40, and provides the A-beta 42/40 blood levels ratio.

Amyloid beta proteins are known to accumulate and form plaques in the brain, which are linked to the progression of Alzheimer's disease. A-beta 42 and A-beta 40 are biomarkers that are produced when the protein amyloid precursor protein (APP) is broken down. A-beta 42 is a longer fragment of APP, while A-beta 40 is a shorter one. The A-beta 42/A-beta 40 ratio is a measure used in AD research to indicate the presence of amyloid beta proteins in the brain. The A-beta 42/A-beta 40 ratio is important because A-beta 42 is known to be likely to clump and form plaques, making it less detectable. A-beta 40 is more soluble and less likely to form plaques. Because of this, a lower ratio of A-beta 42 to A-beta 40 in the brain is associated with a greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Prior to blood-biomarker testing, neurologists could only rely on cognitive assessment and brain imaging to diagnose Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately, these methods made identifying Alzheimer’s disease from other forms of dementia difficult. This test helps differentiate Alzheimer’s from other forms of dementia as the likely, underlying cause of a person’s mild mental impairment.

There are several stages of Alzheimer's disease signs and symptoms, some of which include:

Forgetfulness
Trouble thinking of common words, places, objects
Difficulty making decisions
Confusion
Disorientation
Mood swings
Anger or aggression
Trouble eating
Trouble performing simple mental and physical tasks
Cognitive decline (trouble remembering, concentrating, making decisions, etc.)
Severe memory loss

Anyone with a family history of Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive decline (trouble remembering, concentrating, making decisions, etc.), brain trauma, or other risks. See full risk factors at purchase. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase. Purchases not permitted in: AK, AZ, HI.

You do not need to do anything special to prepare for the sample collection. Fasting is not required for this test.

When your results are ready, we will send them to you in a clear, easy-to-read report. You will have the option to discuss your results with an independent physician. Together, you can determine the next best steps for your care.

How it works

Buy a lab test & schedule an appointment

No doctor visit required for purchase. Book a visit to one of 2000+ Quest locations.

Schedule an appointment

Visit Quest for sample collection

Complete your test sample collection during your scheduled appointment.

Get fast results online

Access results online as soon as they’re available.

View results

Get physician support

Discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost.

Scientists are still learning about what causes Alzheimer's disease. Read this article for more information about what is known (and what is still unknown) about Alzheimer's.

FAQs

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive brain-related disorder that affects memory and understanding. It is a progressive form of dementia. While more common in older adults, AD can begin in your 30s, 40s, or 50s. Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging.

Is there a cure for Alzheimer’s disease?

Currently, there is no cure for AD, but early detection can help encourage the necessary discussions with your doctor so you can minimize further risk through lifestyle modification and have discussions of treatment should they become available.

Are there risk factors to be aware of?

The following risk-factors are associated with a higher likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease:

experiencing memory loss or early cognitive impairment or decline(trouble remembering, concentrating, making decisions, etc.)
having a family history of Alzheimer’s disease
had past diagnosed brain trauma or head injury
excessive alcohol consumption

Can I use my FSA or HSA funds to purchase tests at questhealth.com?

You may be able to use your FSA or HSA funds to purchase lab tests at questhealth.com. Please review your FSA/HSA plan or check with a tax professional to confirm specific requirements for individual eligibility.

Our references

References:

Alzheimer’s Association. More Women Get Alzheimer’s Than Men. Why? Accessed Aug 8, 2023. https://www.alz.org/news/2020/more-women-get-alzheimer-s-than-men-why

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias. Accessed July 3, 2023.https://www.cdc.gov/aging/aginginfo/alzheimers.htm
National Institute on Aging. What Are the Signs on Alzheimer’s Disease? Accessed July 3, 2023. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-are-signs-alzheimers-disease
Quest Diagnostics. Quest AD-Detect™, Beta-Amyloid 42/40 Ratio, Plasma. Accessed April 20, 2023. https://testdirectory.questdiagnostics.com/test/test-detail/11786/quest-ad-detect-beta-amyloid-4240-ratio-plasma?p=r&q=11786&cc=PHP
Alzheimer’s Association. What is Alzheimer’s Disease? Accessed 21 April, 2023. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers
NHS inform. Alzheimer's disease. Accessed April 21, 2023. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/brain-nerves-and-spinal-cord/alzheimers-disease
Acta Pharmacologica Sinica. Amyloid beta: structure, biology and structure-based therapeutic development. Accessed April 22, 2023. https://www.nature.com/articles/aps201728
Penn Medicine. The 7 Stages of Alzheimer's Disease. Accessed April 22, 2023. https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/neuroscience-blog/2019/november/stages-of-alzheimers
Alzheimer’s Association. Causes and Risk Factors for Alzheimer's Disease. Accessed April 22, 2023. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers/causes-and-risk-factors
SVAR Wieslab. Beta amyloid ratio 42/40. Accessed April 22, 2023. https://www.svarlifescience.com/services/wieslab-diagnostic-services/997-l-beta-amyloid-ratio-42-40
https://www.alz.org/news/2020/more-women-get-alzheimer-s-than-men-why

Tests purchased on questhealth.com are only for individuals who intend to pay directly for testing and do not want to submit a claim for reimbursement under their health insurance.

AD-Detect Test for Alzheimer’s Disease Risk