Overview
Assays such as p-tau217 have improved substantially and are increasingly used in specialty settings, often before deciding whether PET or spinal fluid testing is needed.
Strengths
- Low burden and widely accessible collection
- Useful for triage before more invasive testing
- Improving accuracy in specialty care settings
Limitations
- Kidney disease, body weight, and other conditions can affect results
- Not recommended for screening people without symptoms
- Results should be interpreted by a clinician experienced with memory disorders
Medically reviewed. Last reviewed August 2026. This page is educational information, not individualized medical advice.