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How much confidence would you have in an Alzheimer’s blood test that incorrectly tells 40% of healthy people they may have the disease?
A new FDA-cleared blood test designed to detect Alzheimer’s disease, Fujirebio’s Lumipulse plasma test, is drawing criticism after Mayo Clinic researchers found it produced an alarming number of false-positive results when used in real-world patients.
Considering these tests can cost between $500 and $1,000, you’d think the accuracy rate would be a little more impressive.
Instead, people who don’t actually have Alzheimer’s could be told they might, triggering fear, additional medical tests, spinal taps, and potentially life-changing medical decisions.
The researchers noted that the faulty results were linked to differences in testing reagents, prompting a Class II recall of some components, and urged doctors to interpret positive results cautiously.
Where does that leave us today?
The test is currently being used as a gateway to Alzheimer’s drugs like Leqembi, an estimated $26,500-a-year treatment that only offers modest slowing of disease progression and comes with risks such as brain swelling, brain bleeds, and seizures.
Is there an alternative to these dangerous drugs they’re pushing?
There’s been research into using low-dose lithium to prevent and possibly reverse Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting it may be a more effective, less expensive, and safer approach. Its cognitive benefits were recognized as far back as 1949, but their significance has obviously been swept under the rug.
Even more concerning, studies have shown that Alzheimer’s rates increased alongside the mandated COVID mRNA injections.
Once again, it seems the government and the pharmaceutical industry are more interested in profits than in our well-being.