direct-to-consumer Alzheimer testing (Quest AD-Detect test)

Uses

• consumers can now purchase from home without visiting a doctor

Clinical significance

• in theory, the amyloid-beta 42/40 ratio may help identify risk of developing Alzheimer's disease
• in practice, the value of the Quest AD-Detect test is unknown
• the test is not FDA approved
• the Alzheimer's Association does not endorse use of the Quest AD-Detect test

Procedure

• measures amyloid-beta-42 & amyloid-beta-40 in blood
• provides an amyloid-beta 42/40 ratio
• the assay uses liquid chromatography & mass spectrometry

Notes

• consumers pay for the $400 Quest AD-Detect
• a telehealth doctor reviews the purchase & places an order on their behalf
• patients visit a local Quest Diagnostics lab for a blood draw
• they can read their test results online & have the option to speak with a physician when their results are in

More general terms

• direct-to-consumer medical testing