Acceptability and feasibility of plasma phosphorylated‐tau181 in two memory services

Abstract

Background Plasma phosphorylated‐tau181 (p‐tau181) represents a novel blood‐based biomarker of Alzheimer's disease pathology. We explored clinicians' experience of the utility of plasma p‐tau181 in Camden and Islington Memory Services. Methods Patients were identified by their clinician as appropriate for p‐tau181. Their p‐tau181 result was plotted on a reference range graph provided to clinicians. This was discussed with the patient at diagnostic feedback appointment. Results Twenty‐nine participants' plasma p‐tau181 samples were included (mean age 74 SD 8.5, 65% female). Nine clinicians participated in the study. Eighty‐six percent of clinicians found the p‐tau181 result to be helpful and in 93% of cases it was clearly understandable. The p‐tau181 result was useful in making the diagnosis in 44% of cases. Conclusions Plasma p‐tau181 is a feasible test for use in memory services and acceptable to clinicians. Clinician feedback on utility in dementia diagnoses was mixed. Further work is required to provide education and training in understanding and interpreting ambiguity in biomarker results.

Online clinical tools to support the use of new plasma biomarker diagnostic technology in the assessment of Alzheimer’s disease: a narrative review

“…using biomarker data ranges available from validation cohorts. 40 The NfL interface for physicians is an online tool in the research setting to aid clinicians in interpreting the plasma NfL levels in The Netherlands. 41 The clinician enters the patient’s age and plasma NfL result.…”

“…A pilot study to assess the acceptability of a blood biomarker, plasma phosphorylated–tau181 in a UK memory service, reported that clinicians wanted access to additional online tools to aid in the interpretation of the result. 40 This included video information and an interactive website with educational elements. Simulated case vignettes with multiple-choice biomarker results could provide clinicians with active examples of biomarker interpretation and mimic the clinical scenarios they may encounter.…”

Multi-Omic Blood Biomarkers as Dynamic Risk Predictors in Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease

“…To this effect, in a pilot study of nearly 30 participants visiting memory clinics in the UK, the average duration from blood collection to plasma p-tau181 results was 3 months, indicating a reasonable turnaround time [208]. Moreover, the p-tau181 result was understandable for 93% of clinicians and it informed AD diagnosis in 44% of cases.…”