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Things to Think About Before Getting a pTau Test
New blood tests for phosphorylated tau (pTau) are helping doctors find early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Having high pTau levels does not mean you have Alzheimer’s, but it does signal that you have a higher risk of developing the disease in the future. Knowing whether you have this heightened risk or not is important, which is why more and more people are having their pTau levels tested. If you’re thinking about getting tested, here are a few things to keep in mind.
A positive pTau test is not an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Elevated pTau is just one of many indicators of Alzheimer’s disease risk, which is why testing can be useful for people with symptoms or a family history of Alzheimer’s disease.
“It’s unquestionably useful to identify people who are at risk of developing Alzheimer’s as soon as possible,” said Dr. Gigi Lefebvre, a family practice physician and principal investigator for Alzheimer’s clinical trials at Care Access. “If you can identify that risk earlier, you have the opportunity to change your lifestyle to lower that risk. You might also be able to identify early symptoms consistent with Alzheimer’s disease because you and your family will be on the lookout for them. This will help you to get any needed treatment as early as possible.”
Getting tested can help Alzheimer’s research.
In addition to providing you with crucial information about your own health, participating in pTau testing helps the larger population as it furthers the scientific research into how we diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s. Here’s just a few ways getting yourself tested can help others:
Better Understanding
pTau is a relatively new biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists are still learning more about pTau and working to connect specific pTau levels with actual changes in the brain, and having more testing data helps immensely with this research.
Early Detection
The more this test is performed, the better understanding we gain about how it can be used as a diagnostic tool for early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
Driving New Treatments
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, and most of the traditional therapies only treat the symptoms and not the actual cause. New treatments that are being studied right now could actually cure or prevent Alzheimer’s in the first place, but those drugs will never be fully developed without clinical trials. By testing for pTau you can find out if you qualify for one of these crucial clinical trials.
pTau test results can give you peace of mind or help you make informed choices about your health
If your pTau test is normal, it may give you peace of mind – especially if you’re worried about a family history of Alzheimer’s or other risk factors.
On the other hand, finding out you have high pTau levels can be a big motivator, even if it’s scary at first.
“It allows you to make changes,” Dr. Lefebvre said. “Even if you’re pTau positive, you can improve your nutrition with a Mediterranean-style diet, you can exercise routinely, and you can make sure to get enough sleep – six to eight hours per night makes a big difference in keeping your memory sharp. You can also put your mind to work – find brain exercises on the internet or play around with crossword puzzles, because with memory, it’s a use-it-or-lose-it world. Strengthen your social connections to stay engaged and, if your memory starts to slip, friends and family will be able to help identify that change.”
Ultimately, deciding whether to test pTau levels is a personal choice.
“As an individual, only you can make the decision,” Dr. Lefebvre said. “If you find out you’re positive for higher levels of pTau, what will you do with this information? Perhaps you will speak with your doctor, your family and friends, and/or the research team. Perhaps you will make lifestyle changes. It’s important to have a game plan before you say ‘yes.’”
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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