Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 7, 2026
Dried Blood Spot Collection of Health Biomarkers to Maximize Participation in Population Studies
Published on: January 28, 2014
Biomarkers
Sinthujah Vigneswaran1,2,3, Inge M W Verberk4, Lynn Boonkamp5
1Alzheimer Center, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Blood-based biomarkers (BBM) improve diagnostic confidence for neurodegenerative diseases. This panel showed added value in memory clinics, aiding diagnosis in a small number of patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Biomarker Research
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Blood-based biomarkers (BBM) offer a minimally invasive approach for diagnosing neurodegenerative diseases.
- Assessing the real-world clinical validity of BBM panels in memory clinic patients is crucial before widespread adoption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively evaluate the impact of a tailored BBM panel on syndrome diagnosis, suspected etiology, and diagnostic confidence.
- To determine the clinical utility of BBM results in a real-world memory clinic setting.
Main Methods:
- 450 patients underwent a standardized diagnostic workup, including a BBM panel (plasma pTau181, GFAP, NfL).
- BBM results were tailored to differential diagnoses and disclosed after initial clinical evaluation.
- Syndrome diagnosis, suspected etiology, and diagnostic confidence were assessed before and after BBM disclosure.
Main Results:
- Median diagnostic confidence increased significantly from 80% to 90% (p < 0.001) after BBM disclosure.
- Syndrome diagnoses were revised in 1% of patients, and suspected etiologies were altered in 5%.
- Among patients with suspected Alzheimer's disease (AD), 36% were classified as high probability for AD based on the BBM panel.
Conclusions:
- A BBM panel tailored to individual diagnostic considerations increases diagnostic confidence.
- The BBM panel demonstrated added value in daily clinical practice, influencing diagnoses in a minority of patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...