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Integrating plasma p-tau217 and digital cognitive assessments for early detection in Alzheimer's disease
Vanderlip CR, Stark CEL.. Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association, 2025-06-01
Topic: Amyloid, tau and blood-test diagnosis
Introduction Plasma phosphorylated tau (p-tau)217 is an early Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarker, but the timing of pathological changes and cognitive decline varies substantially. Digital cognitive assessments can detect subtle cognitive changes, suggesting they may complement p-tau217 for early detection. Here, we evaluate whether combining these tools improves the detection of individuals at risk for future decline. Methods We analyzed 954 amyloid-positive cognitively unimpaired individuals who completed a digital cognitive assessment and a blood test for p-tau217, assessing their ability to predict future decline on the Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (PACC) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Results Combining performance on a digital cognitive assessment with p-tau217 improved identification of individuals who declined on the PACC and MMSE in the next 5 years. The predictive value was stronger in apolipoprotein E ε4 noncarriers but did not differ by sex. Discussion This approach offers a sensitive method for identifying individuals at high risk for AD-related cognitive decline. Highlights Combining plasma phosphorylated tau 217 with baseline digital cognitive assessment improved the prediction of cognitive decline on gold-standard neuropsychological tests over the next 5 years, achieving greater accuracy than either measure alone. This combination also predicted a decline in a global cognitive screening test. Pairing a blood test with a digital cognitive assessment offers a scalable and feasible approach for Alzheimer's disease screening.
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APA 7th
Vanderlip, C. R., & Stark, C. E. L. (2025). Integrating plasma p-tau217 and digital cognitive assessments for early detection in Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.70355
Vancouver
Vanderlip CR, Stark CEL. Integrating plasma p-tau217 and digital cognitive assessments for early detection in Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association. 2025. doi:10.1002/alz.70355. PMID: 40491259.
BibTeX
@article{vanderlip2025-40491259,
author = {Vanderlip, C. R. and Stark, C. E. L.},
title = {{Integrating plasma p-tau217 and digital cognitive assessments for early detection in Alzheimer's disease}},
journal = {Alzheimer's \& dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1002/alz.70355},
pmid = {40491259},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.70355}
}
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Key findings
- Results Combining performance on a digital cognitive assessment with p-tau217 improved identification of individuals who declined on the PACC and MMSE in the next 5 years.
Why it matters
In 954 amyloid-positive cognitively unimpaired people, combining a digital cognitive assessment with plasma p-tau217 improved prediction of cognitive decline over the next 5 years better than either measure alone. This is about early detection and risk prediction, not about treating, curing or preventing Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Participants954
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 49/100
Published in a leading specialty journal. Scored zero for study design, effect reported and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 9 / 10 | Tier 2 — leading specialty journal (Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Alzheimer s & Dementia: journal h-index 228 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 2 / 4 | 954 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 2 / 7 | Cited 13 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 2 / 5 | 4.3 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 8.3× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 1 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 13 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Craig E.L. Stark: h-index 62 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | University of California, Irvine: institution h-index 1,195 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40491259) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 49 / 100 | — |
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