AD Detect Slide 1

QUEST AD-Detect™

$398 CAD

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive brain-related disorder that affects memory and understanding and can progress to complete mental and physical impairment. This Alzheimer’s test measures A-beta 42 and A-beta 40 biomarkers and provides the A-beta 42/40 blood levels ratio. This ratio between these two molecular biomarkers may help to detect the risk of Alzheimer’s disease before severe mental decline.

For most people with Alzheimer’s disease — those who have the late-onset variety — symptoms first appear when someone is in their mid-60s or later. When the disease develops before the age of 65, it’s considered early-onset Alzheimer’s, which can begin as early as a person’s 30s, although this is rare.

While there is no cure for AD, there are treatments that can help slow its progression when detected early enough. Additionally, there are ongoing clinical trials where new therapies are continuously being developed and tested. Early detection can help encourage the necessary discussions with your doctor so you can minimize further risk through lifestyle modification and have discussions of treatment should they become available.

Benefits

  • Non-invasive sample collection
  • Confidential results in 3 to 10 days

Collection method

  • Blood sample – visit an Alpha Labs Patient Service Centre
Technical Information Download Brochure PDF

About this test

What’s tested

Blood-biomarker tests for early detection may include those associated with the peptide amyloid-β (also known as A-beta). The AD-Detect Test for Alzheimer’s Disease measures two peptide amyloid- βs: A-beta 42 and A-beta 40, and provides the A-beta 42/40 blood levels ratio.

Amyloid beta proteins are known to accumulate and form plaques in the brain, which are linked to the progression of Alzheimer's disease. A-beta 42 and A-beta 40 are biomarkers that are produced when the protein amyloid precursor protein (APP) is broken down. A-beta 42 is a longer fragment of APP, while A-beta 40 is a shorter one. The A-beta 42/A-beta 40 ratio is a measure used in AD research to indicate the presence of amyloid beta proteins in the brain. The A-beta 42/A-beta 40 ratio is important because A-beta 42 is known to be likely to clump and form plaques, making it less detectable. A-beta 40 is more soluble and less likely to form plaques. Because of this, a lower ratio of A-beta 42 to A-beta 40 in the brain is associated with a greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Prior to blood-biomarker testing, neurologists could only rely on cognitive assessment and brain imaging to diagnose Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately, these methods made identifying Alzheimer’s disease from other forms of dementia difficult. This test helps differentiate Alzheimer’s from other forms of dementia as the likely, underlying cause of a person’s mild mental impairment.

Eligibility

Anyone with a family history of Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive decline (trouble remembering, concentrating, making decisions, etc.), brain trauma, or other risks. See full risk factors at purchase. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase.

Who should take this test

This test may be right for you if you are experiencing mild cognitive impairment or decline (trouble remembering, concentrating, making decisions, etc.) and have one or more of the following risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s disease:

  • Have a family history of Alzheimer’s disease
  • Had past diagnosed head trauma or brain injury
  • Consume alcohol in excessive amounts

Additionally, if you are younger than 50 years old, this test may not be right for you.

AD Detect Stat Image

Almost 600,000 Canadians are living with dementia — and that number is projected to increase 60% by 2030.

Source: Alzheimer Society Of Canada.