New blood test shows promise for early Alzheimer's diagnosis

A new blood test developed by researchers at New York University may help diagnose Alzheimer's disease earlier. The test measures levels of acetyl-L-carnitine and free-carnitine, which are linked to brain function and cognitive decline. In a study involving 125 participants, the test showed a 93% accuracy in diagnosing Alzheimer's when combined with protein levels. This is an improvement from 80% accuracy using blood markers or proteins alone. Currently, diagnosing Alzheimer's requires extensive testing. This new blood test could provide a noninvasive and more accessible method for tracking the disease and evaluating treatment effectiveness. Further research is needed to understand the relationship between these markers and cognitive decline.