# 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. - **Patent:** US 11193946 - **Original title:** Blood biomarker for discerning beta amyloid accumulation in brain - **Owner:** Seoul National University R&DB Foundation - **Granted:** 2021 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** biotech, pharmaceutical, diagnostics, healthcare, medical_devices ## What it does 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. ## 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. ## 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. ## Real-world examples 1. Research studies on early Alzheimer's detection 2. Clinical trials for new Alzheimer's drugs 3. Future diagnostic panels for neurodegenerative diseases 4. Blood tests for amyloid accumulation risk ## Why it matters 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. ## 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. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11193946/blood-biomarker-for-discerning-beta-amyloid-accumulation-in-brain **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US11193946 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [Diagnosing Brain Diseases by Measuring a Protein in Blood or Urine](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20220283184/novel-diagnostic-marker-for-creutzfeldt-jakob-disease-and-alzheimers-disease) — This patent describes a method for diagnosing brain diseases like Alzheimer's and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease by measuring the amount of a specific protein called beta-synuclein in non-spinal fluid samples such as blood or urine. - [Using Blood Markers to Diagnose Stroke and Tell Its Type](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10914745/biomarker-based-methods-for-aiding-the-diagnosis-of-stroke) — This patent describes a two-step method for diagnosing a stroke and then determining if it's an ischemic stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA) by measuring specific protein levels in a patient's blood. - [Using a Blood Marker to Predict Concussion Risk and Severity](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12085565/sntf-is-a-blood-biomarker-for-the-diagnosis-and-prognosis-of-sports-related-conc) — This patent describes a method to diagnose and predict long-term issues from mild traumatic brain injury, like concussions, by measuring a specific protein fragment called SNTF in a blood sample. - [How Computers Use Brain Maps to Diagnose Alzheimer's Disease](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12376789/raptor-testing) — A method for classifying stages of Alzheimer's disease by turning brain scan data into mathematical graphs and using machine learning to identify patterns. - [Checking if Brain Injury Drugs Work Using Saliva or Urine](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20200371093/prognostic-and-diagnostic-glycan-based-biomarkers-of-brain-damage) — This patent describes a method to determine if a drug for brain injury is effective by measuring specific sugar molecules in a patient's saliva or urine samples over time.