Scientists have found several reliable blood-based biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease. These proteins, including amyloid and tau, build up in the brain—and blood—as the disease progresses. A blood test for these proteins can help catch the disease in its earliest stages, when treatment might be able to prevent or delay cognitive decline.

Several tests exist, but they are expensive, rely on specialized equipment and can only detect a few biomarkers at a time. By contrast, 5ADCSI can measure five key Alzheimer’s biomarkers and relies on xMAP technology, a widely available system from the biotechnology company Luminex.

“The biggest advantage is that our test is very cost-effective compared to other existing technologies, and it’s relatively easy to implement because many laboratories in universities, hospitals, and clinics are already using this technology,” said Ebrahim Zandi, Ph.D., associate professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Keck School of Medicine, who led the research.