Detecting Alzheimer's Risk Early with a Blood Test and Brain Scan
This patent describes a two-step method to predict early Alzheimer's disease by first checking specific protein levels in a blood sample, and then, if certain markers are low, performing a brain scan to confirm amyloid beta buildup.
Original patent title: “Blood biomarker for discerning beta amyloid accumulation in brain”
This patent describes a two-step method to predict early Alzheimer's disease by first checking specific protein levels in a blood sample, and then, if certain markers are low, performing a brain scan to confirm amyloid beta buildup. Granted to Seoul National University R&DB Foundation in 2021 with 5 claims, and it is expected to expire in 2038.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a way to detect early signs of Alzheimer's disease in people who don't yet show memory problems and haven't taken certain medications. First, a blood sample is taken to measure the levels of four specific biomarkers: Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), plasma amyloid beta, Lectin galactoside-binding soluble3 binding protein (LGALS3BP), and ACE (Angiotensin I converting enzyme) (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1). If the levels of LGALS3BP, ACE, and AChE are lower than what's typically found in healthy people without brain amyloid, then a special brain scan called a PET test using Pittsburgh compound B (PIB) is performed (Claim 1). This two-step process helps identify individuals who might be accumulating amyloid beta in their brain, a key sign of Alzheimer's, before symptoms appear. For example, if a person with normal memory has low levels of these three blood proteins, the patent suggests they should get a PIB-PET scan to check for amyloid plaques.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover methods for subjects already diagnosed with cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's dementia.
- Does not cover subjects who are currently being treated with an Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) inhibitor.
- Does not cover diagnostic methods that rely solely on a PET scan without the initial blood biomarker screening step.
- Does not cover methods that use a different set of blood biomarkers, or fewer than the four specified (AchE, plasma amyloid beta, LGALS3BP, ACE) in the initial screening.
- Does not cover methods where the decision to perform a PET test is not based on decreased levels of LGALS3BP, ACE, and AChE.
- Does not cover methods that use a brain imaging technique other than a PIB-PET test for confirmation.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The clever part is using a specific combination of four blood biomarkers as a preliminary screen. This allows for a more targeted approach, recommending the more expensive and complex PIB-PET brain scan only for individuals who show a particular pattern in their blood, making early detection more efficient.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Research studies on early Alzheimer's detection
Clinical trials for new Alzheimer's drugs
Future diagnostic panels for neurodegenerative diseases
Blood tests for amyloid accumulation risk
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Early detection of Alzheimer's disease is crucial because it allows for potential interventions before significant brain damage occurs. This patent offers a less invasive initial screening method compared to immediate brain imaging, which can be expensive and involve radiation. Identifying individuals at a preclinical level could enable earlier lifestyle changes or participation in clinical trials for new treatments, potentially slowing disease progression.
Filed
March 22, 2018
Granted
December 7, 2021
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Many academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies, such as Eli Lilly, Biogen, and Roche, are actively researching and developing blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease. Companies like C2N Diagnostics are already offering commercial blood tests for amyloid beta. Seoul National University R&DB Foundation, the assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, continues to be a key player in this research space.
Market impact
This type of invention contributes to the growing field of precision medicine for neurodegenerative diseases. By providing a less invasive and potentially more accessible screening tool, it could broaden the pool of individuals identified at risk for Alzheimer's. This could lead to a significant shift in how Alzheimer's is diagnosed, moving towards earlier, more proactive identification, and potentially driving demand for new preventative or early-stage treatments.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a way to detect early signs of Alzheimer's disease in people who don't yet show memory problems and haven't taken certain medications. First, a blood sample is taken to measure the levels of four specific biomarkers: Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), plasma amyloid beta, Lectin galactoside-binding soluble3 binding protein (LGALS3BP), and ACE (Angiotensin I converting enzyme) (Claim 1). If the levels of LGALS3BP, ACE, and AChE are lower than what's typically found in healthy people without brain amyloid, then a special brain scan called a PET test using Pittsburgh compound B (PIB) is performed (Claim 1). This two-step process helps identify individuals who might be accumulating amyloid beta in their brain, a key sign of Alzheimer's, before symptoms appear. For example, if a person with normal memory has low levels of these three blood proteins, the patent suggests they should get a PIB-PET scan to check for amyloid plaques.
The clever bit
The clever part is using a specific combination of four blood biomarkers as a preliminary screen. This allows for a more targeted approach, recommending the more expensive and complex PIB-PET brain scan only for individuals who show a particular pattern in their blood, making early detection more efficient.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover methods for subjects already diagnosed with cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's dementia.
- Does not cover subjects who are currently being treated with an Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) inhibitor.
- Does not cover diagnostic methods that rely solely on a PET scan without the initial blood biomarker screening step.
- Does not cover methods that use a different set of blood biomarkers, or fewer than the four specified (AchE, plasma amyloid beta, LGALS3BP, ACE) in the initial screening.
- Does not cover methods where the decision to perform a PET test is not based on decreased levels of LGALS3BP, ACE, and AChE.
- Does not cover methods that use a brain imaging technique other than a PIB-PET test for confirmation.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
3/20
Moderate scope
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$15K – $48K
Midpoint $30K · 11.5 yr remaining · industry ×1.5
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
The original legal language
Original claims
5 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
HAN, S., Mook, I., & PARK, J. (2021). Detecting Alzheimer's Risk Early with a Blood Test and Brain Scan (U.S. Patent No. 11,193,946). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11193946/blood-biomarker-for-discerning-beta-amyloid-accumulation-in-brain
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Detecting Alzheimer's Risk Early with a Blood Test and Brain Scan cover?
This patent describes a two-step method to predict early Alzheimer's disease by first checking specific protein levels in a blood sample, and then, if certain markers are low, performing a brain scan to confirm amyloid beta buildup.
Who owns patent US 11193946?
Seoul National University R&DB Foundation owns this patent, granted in 2021.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on March 22, 2038, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Early detection of Alzheimer's disease is crucial because it allows for potential interventions before significant brain damage occurs. This patent offers a less invasive initial screening method compared to immediate brain imaging, which can be expensive and involve radiation. Identifying individuals at a preclinical level could enable earlier lifestyle changes or participation in clinical trials for new treatments, potentially slowing disease progression.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover methods for subjects already diagnosed with cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's dementia.
Same assignee
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