The FDA greenlit marketing for the first blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. Experts believe this will increase access to Alzheimer’s detection and reduce reliance on expensive PET scans and invasive spinal taps.

The test has a complicated name: The Lumipulse G pTau217/ß-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio. But the goal of the test, created by Fujirebio Diagnostics, is simple: Early detection of beta-amyloid plaques linked to the neurocognitive disease in adults 55 and older who are exhibiting signs and symptoms of the disorder.

The first Alzheimer's blood test cleared by the Food and Drug Administration is poised to change the way doctors diagnose and treat the disease.