For decades, diagnosing Alzheimer's disease required expensive PET brain scans or a spinal tap. In May 2025, that changed.
The FDA cleared the first blood test for Alzheimer's disease, a simple lab draw that detects amyloid plaques in the brain, the hallmark indicator of the disease. A second approved test can be administered right in a primary care office.
The test is said to be more than 91 percent accurate.
This test is not a treatment. It tells doctors and patients what they are dealing with earlier.
Allyson Good curates senior living, health, and family content. She is formerly the Managing Editor of Active Life, a print newspaper published in 2016-2017 for seniors, choosing practical articles on health, money, safety, and everyday living for older readers. She is also an avid gardener and offers up Garden Hints and Tips on a regular basis.