A result indicating a higher likelihood of Alzheimer’s-associated amyloid pathology does not mean:
“You have Alzheimer’s dementia.”
It does not mean:
“You are going to experience cognitive decline soon.”
And it cannot tell you how quickly your health may change. What it tells you is that the biomarkers measured by the test suggest that Alzheimer’s-associated amyloid pathology is more likely to be present. That information may give you an opportunity to:
Many people think the only meaningful result is one that finds something. That isn’t necessarily true. Memory and thinking changes can have many possible causes.
A result indicating a lower likelihood of Alzheimer’s-associated amyloid pathology may help put Alzheimer’s-related amyloid changes lower on the list of possible explanations for what you are experiencing. That information may help you focus on other potential causes with a healthcare professional if symptoms continue.
A lower result does not guarantee that you will never develop Alzheimer’s disease. It provides information about the biomarkers detected at the time you were tested.
There’s another side to knowing more about your health. It isn’t only about medicine. It can also be about life. For some people, new health information may prompt them to ask questions they hadn’t seriously considered before.
Am I spending my time the way I want to?
Is there somewhere I’ve always wanted to go?
Should I think differently about when I retire?
Are there things I want to do with my spouse, children or grandchildren?
Have I explained my wishes to my family?
Are my financial and estate plans in order?
Have I thought about how I would want to be cared for if I ever needed help?
A higher ALZInsights result does not mean you need to make dramatic changes to your life. But it may give you information worth considering as you decide what is important to you. Sometimes the value of knowing isn’t simply knowing.
Some people may use health information as an opportunity to review practical long-term plans, including:
Insurance availability, premiums, underwriting and disclosure requirements can depend on your circumstances and existing health information. Before making insurance or significant financial decisions based on a test result, consider discussing your options with an appropriate financial, legal or insurance professional. ALZInsights doesn’t provide financial or insurance advice.
Beckman Coulter is one of the world’s leading clinical diagnostic companies, with sophisticated laboratory systems used by hospitals and clinical laboratories around the world.
The FDA-approved blood test used by ALZInsights measures biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s-related amyloid pathology. It is important to understand exactly what this test does — and what it does not do.
ALZInsights does not independently diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. It cannot predict with certainty whether you will develop Alzheimer’s dementia. It cannot tell you when cognitive symptoms may occur. The test provides information about the likelihood that Alzheimer’s-associated amyloid pathology is present at the time of testing.