Alzheimer’s disease affects an estimated 7.2 million Americans age 65 and older, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Current tests often measure the levels of two proteins-amyloid beta (Aβ) and phosphorylated tau (p-tau)-in the blood or spinal fluid, but these markers may not fully capture earlier biological changes linked to disease progression.
Now, scientists at Scripps Research have developed a blood-based approach that examines how proteins are folded in the bloodstream rather than simply measuring their concentrations. Their study, published in Nature Aging on February 27, 2026, reports that structural differences in three plasma proteins are associated with disease status and can distinguish cognitively normal individuals from those with Alzheimer’s and mild cognitive impairment (MCI)…