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Steps to Take After Testing Positive for pTau
A positive pTau test (finding high phosphorylated tau – pTau – levels in your blood) is not the same thing as an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. It simply means you have a higher risk of developing the disease in the future. Treat it as a call to action that can help you take steps to increase your brain function and plan for your health and the things that matter most to you – starting now.
Here are some steps you can take:
1 | Talk to your primary healthcare provider
Make an appointment with your primary healthcare provider to talk through your results and what your health goals might look like. Your provider can help you set up appointments with specialists for more testing if needed, and support any necessary lifestyle changes you may want to make.
“First, know that your healthcare provider may not be an expert in pTau, as this is a reasonably new test,” said Dr. Gigi Lefebvre, a family practice physician and principal investigator for Alzheimer’s clinical trials at Care Access. “Neurologists will likely be more familiar, and your provider might refer you. If they do not, don’t be afraid to ask if you should see a specialist.”
2 | Share your pTau test results with your friends and family
Talking to loved ones can help. “Talk about your positive test so people are watching you and supporting you,” Dr. Lefebvre said. “ While a positive pTau does not mean you will get Alzheimer’s, if you do develop early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and you have people to help you see the onset of those symptoms, you can make changes sooner. If needed, you can get further workup and treatment earlier on.”
3 | Make positive lifestyle changes to support your brain health:
Consider these straightforward lifestyle changes that can improve brain health:
- Eating a Mediterranean-style diet. This can reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, and supply your body with nutrients and antioxidants.
- Exercising regularly if you don’t already. The workouts do not need to be complex – simply walking can better your overall health. Research found that people who walked just 20 minutes per day at least five days per week took 43% fewer sick days than those working out once a week or less.
- Being routine about exercising your brain. Do crossword puzzles, use memory-exercise apps on your phone, or read articles. (“If you have a printed article, try turning it upside down to make your brain really work,” Dr. Lefebvre said. “You can read it out loud, too, to use more senses in the exercise.”)
- Getting more social. “Add in social time any way you can, with friends, family, and neighbors,” Dr. Lefebvre said.
4 | Consider clinical trial participation as an option
“Most medicines currently approved for Alzheimer’s have been on the market for a long time, but sadly we know they often don’t make a major impact,” Dr. Lefebvre said. “They attempt to treat the symptoms, but don’t get at the underlying cause. Fortunately, there are new drugs on the horizon that work differently and could impact the causes of Alzheimer’s. They offer us more hope than ever, but we need people to participate in clinical trials in order to prove whether or not they work and to get them approved. Without trials, nobody will be able to benefit from these therapies.”
The FDA has approved Donanemab (Kisunla) as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease with symptoms. This offers a new treatment for those with Alzheimer's who have early memory changes. There are currently clinical trials providing Donanemab to people who are positive for pTau but still have normal memory function. This might offer a chance to prevent memory loss in people who are at high risk of developing Alzheimer's.
If you’ve tested positive for pTau and are interested in exploring clinical trial options, click below to learn more.
CONTRIBUTING EXPERTS
Gigi Lefebvre, MD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Lefebvre is a family medicine physician and a Principal Investigator at Care Access.
Sinikka Green, MD
Dr. Green is the Medical Director and a Principal Investigator at Care Access. She is board certified in emergency medicine.
DISCLAIMER
The information provided on Care Access is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Our products and content are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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