Researchers Validate 21-Protein Blood Panel for 3 Major Dementias in 805-Patient Cohort
Updated
Updated · Nature.com · Jul 20
Researchers Validate 21-Protein Blood Panel for 3 Major Dementias in 805-Patient Cohort
3 articles · Updated · Nature.com · Jul 20
Summary
A 21-protein plasma panel was validated in an independent multicenter cohort of 805 samples, supporting blood-based differential diagnosis across Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia.
The study analyzed 1,318 plasma samples to find more than 200 dysregulated proteins, then translated the strongest signals into a multiplex assay that was retested independently.
GFAP rose most strongly along the Alzheimer’s continuum, while ITGAV and ITGAM were consistently reduced in Lewy body disorders, including autopsy-confirmed cases; elevated NfL with lower GFAP was linked to frontotemporal dementia.
Model performance held up best for distinguishing DLB and FTD from controls, with validation AUCs of 0.83 and 0.85, while discrimination from Alzheimer’s was lower at 0.78 and 0.77 and AD staging was more limited.
The findings suggest scalable blood proteomics could complement existing amyloid and tau tests, especially where overlapping symptoms make major dementias hard to separate early.
Beyond a diagnosis, can these new blood proteins predict how quickly an individual's dementia will actually progress?
This test differentiates dementias, but can it solve the puzzle of patients who have more than one type at once?
As blood tests near the accuracy of spinal taps, will dementia screening become routine for all adults over 50?
Multi-Dementia Blood Test Achieves High Accuracy: bPRIDE Study Validates 21-Protein Panel for AD, DLB, and FTD Diagnosis in 2026
Overview
In 2026, the bPRIDE study marked a major breakthrough by validating a custom 21-protein blood panel for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and frontotemporal dementia. Using proximity extension assay proteomics and a large cohort of over 2,000 participants, the study showed that this blood panel offers a less invasive and more accessible way to distinguish between these complex conditions. This advancement represents a significant leap forward in neurodegenerative disease diagnosis, making early and accurate detection possible for more people and paving the way for improved patient care.