pTau-217

The latest breakthrough in Alzheimer’s prevention and detection

How might pTau-217 fit into my dementia prevention journey?

Example journey
Alzheimer’s disease starts up to 20 years before symptoms appear
Without early detection, the first sign of trouble is usually cognitive decline, which can rapidly progress to Alzheimer's Dementia
Here's the good news:
  • pTau-217 testing can identify the disease 20 years before symptoms
  • There are many things you can do to slow or stop the progression
Example journey
1
No disease
2
Preclinical Alzheimer's - limited to no cognitive symptoms
3
Mild Cognitive Impairment
4
Alzheimer's dementia

Why should I consider pTau-217 testing?

Get peace of mind: Rest easy knowing you won’t get blindsided by the disease

Detect the disease up to 20 years before symptoms start so that you have plenty of time to act to slow or stop the progression

Get a direct measure of Alzheimer’s pathology to help understand the impact of your prevention efforts

Help determine your eligibility for Leqembi and/or Kinsula, which evidence suggests are more effective when used earlier

See how leading neurologists are using pTau-217 for Alzheimer’s prevention
cnn.com

Who should get pTau-217?

We believe that pTau-217 can be a highly valuable test for anyone over 45 who wants to be proactive about their brain health. However, getting tested is a very personal choice.
Some professionals believe that only patients with cognitive symptoms should take this test since there is no drug for prevention. Others (including us) believe this overlooks the significant evidence non-drug interventions can dramatically delay or prevent the disease.

Two important considerations

Test limitations: pTau-217 can very accurately predict whether you have significant amyloid plaque in your brain (positive amyloid PET scan). However, scientists are still working out exactly what it means to have moderate amounts of pTau-217, and what it means if it goes up or down.
Emotional impact: Learning you may have amyloid plaque can be emotionally challenging, especially if you have ever been diagnosed with anxiety or depression.

Common questions about pTau-217

What is pTau-217?

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pTau stands for phosphorylated tau. You may have heard of tau before - it’s one of the proteins that accumulates in the brain in Alzheimer’s patients. This blood test looks for a specific variety of that protein in your blood. The amount of pTau-217 in your blood is strongly associated with the progression of Alzheimer’s in your brain, even before any symptoms show. That’s why it’s such a useful tool for prevention - it can give you a sense of how far along the disease you are, and most importantly, help you make an informed choice on what prevention strategies you want to take.

Does having a positive result mean that I have Alzheimer’s?

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The short answer is no it does not. A positive result means that you are very likely to have an elevated amount of amyloid pathology in your brain, which incurs a higher risk for developing cognitive symptoms. In order to diagnose Alzheimer’s, you would need either an amyloid PET scan or a spinal tap which tests for amyloid, as well as a clinical exam performed by a neurologist.

It’s important to realize that getting a positive pTau-217 result does not definitively mean you will develop Alzheimer’s symptoms. However, it does mean you are at increased risk and may influence the decisions you make surrounding how you approach your brain health.

Does having a negative result mean that I’m cleared of Alzheimer’s?

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No, a negative result does not guarantee you won't develop Alzheimer's. A negative result means you are below the threshold at which you would most likely receive a positive amyloid PET scan. This is good news because it suggests a lower likelihood of having Alzheimer’s-related changes in the brain at the time of testing.

Nevertheless, depending on the amount of pTau-217 detected, you may be exhibiting signs of pre-clinical Alzheimer’s. In other words, elevated pTau results suggest the brain is showing early signs of damage which eventually may accumulate to cause cognitive symptoms. Yet by taking action before your symptoms show, you may be able to prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s. Your pTau-217 results can help you calibrate the kinds of actions you want to take to improve your brain health.

Are there any reasons I should not take the blood test?

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pTau-217 is a blood test which relates to Alzheimer’s dementia, which is a serious disease with limited effective treatments. Although we staunchly believe in the power of prevention and are convinced by the results of new Alzheimer’s treatments (such as Lecanemab or Kisunla), we have yet to develop a true “cure” for Alzheimer’s.
If you tend to feel anxious or have ever been diagnosed with anxiety or depression, you may have more emotional difficulty with these test results.
Please consider the following:
  • Receiving a positive pTau-217 test does not mean that you will definitely develop Alzheimer’s
  • If you receive a negative pTau-217 result, you may still go on to develop Alzheimer’s later in your life
  • Knowing or telling others about your pTau-217 result could affect your ability to get some kinds of insurance (learn more about privacy here)
  • Testing for pTau-217 in the general population is not currently recommended by most healthcare professional organizations
If you decide to take this test, your results will include information about resources that may be helpful, including science-backed clinical and non-clinical interventions that can improve your results, and counseling services to better understand your Alzheimer’s risk.
Other questions? Feel free to contact us