New Blood Tests : A Step Forward in Alzheimer’s Research
Detecting Alzheimer’s early has long depended on costly brain scans or invasive spinal taps. But a breakthrough from C2N Diagnostics is shifting the landscape, bringing us closer to simpler, blood-based insights.
Two Advanced Blood Tests Enter Alzheimer’s Research
In July 2025, C2N released two next-generation plasma assays, now available for Research Use Only:
eMTBR-tau243: This test targets a specific part of the tau protein that closely tracks the neurofibrillary tangles forming in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. Tracking these tangles can help researchers better stage the disease and monitor how it responds to treatment.
%p-tau MAA (Multi-Analyte Assay): By measuring multiple forms of phosphorylated tau proteins (p-tau181, p-tau205, p-tau217) in a single blood sample, this assay offers a more efficient and detailed profile of tau pathology. It can even adjust for variables like age or kidney health.
Together, these tests promise to enhance precision medicine in Alzheimer’s research, helping scientists track disease progression and evaluate new treatments with greater clarity.
Why This Matters
Blood-based testing offers several advantages:
Less invasive and more accessible than PET scans or spinal taps
Scalable for large clinical trials or routine monitoring
Precise, with multi-analyte markers that reflect individual health differences
C2N ultimately hopes to move these tools into clinical practice, laying the foundation for broader access across care settings.
What This Means for Healthy Aging
Breakthroughs like these highlight the importance of early detection and ongoing monitoring. While these tests are still limited to research, they signal a future where simple, less invasive tools to track brain health are within reach.
Bottom line: Science is moving toward smarter, more compassionate ways to monitor brain health, and blood tests like eMTBR-tau243 and %p-tau MAA are leading the way.
