Alzheimer's Association statement on Alzheimer skin test

A study published online by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences describes a method of examining human skin cells that the authors feel may distinguish individuals with Alzheimer’s disease from those with other types of dementia or those with no impairment. According to the authors, “…the molecular biomarker described [in this study] could have important clinical utility for providing more certainty in the positive diagnosis of AD.”

“As of today, the validity of this ‘skin test’ technology for making or confirming any dementia diagnosis is unproven. Claims to the contrary are misleading and overstated,” says Sam Gandy, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Medical & Scientific Advisory Council. Dr. Gandy is Director of the Farber Institute for Neurosciences at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia.

The study contains very interesting though very preliminary research. The Alzheimer’s Association urges caution in interpreting the results. It is important to note that no living persons were involved in this study. The scientists used skin cells from a “cell bank” and tissue samples from autopsied patients. These findings need replication by other scientists in bigger populations.

It is important for families affected by Alzheimer’s disease to know that this research does not describe a “product” that is available to doctors or patients, nor is this technology anywhere near becoming a “product.” That will take much more research.

We do need ways to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease earlier, for example, because drugs now in the pipeline may be able to work earlier in the disease process to slow or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s. This is a high priority area for the Alzheimer’s Association, and it is why we have launched our Effective Treatment Initiative and strongly support the NIA’s Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI).

At this critical time for Alzheimer’s disease research, more federal research funds are needed to capitalize on the advances of the last decade. The Alzheimer's Association calls on Congress to appropriate $1 billion for Alzheimer’s research at the National Institutes of Health. If our elected officials are serious about saving our healthcare system and controlling the costs of Medicare and Medicaid, they have no choice but to increase – immediately and substantially – their investment in Alzheimer’s research.

For more information, contact the Alzheimer’s Association media line at 312.335.4078 or media@alz.org.