SYNAPS Dx (SDx), a privately held company focused on the research, development and commercialization of a diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), recognizes September as World Alzheimer’s Month and Healthy Aging Month to advocate for the accurate identification of AD, implement proactive risk reduction measures to delay and prevent the onset of AD and/or dementia and promote healthy cognitive aging.
The 2023 theme ‘Never too early, never too late’ highlights the need for an early and accurate diagnosis of AD and the importance of recognizing AD risk factors. Awareness of risk reduction strategies is crucial, especially for those who are not yet showing symptoms.
“World Alzheimer’s Month is an important occasion to remember the suffering of individuals with cognitive loss and acknowledge the individuals who dedicate their energy, passion and careers to help patients and families,” says Frank Amato, CEO and President, SDx. “As many as 40% of dementia cases may be halted by addressing modifiable risk factors such as physical inactivity, smoking, depression, mid-life hypertension, mid-life obesity and diabetes, all of which can help to arrest disease progression. Prevention is the best current strategy, but for those patients who feel they may be impacted by AD, a definitive and early diagnosis is important to determine next steps.”
Treating hearing loss may also be a safe way to lower the risk of dementia in vulnerable populations, as Amato points out, “Studies show that hearing aids reduced the rate of cognitive decline in older adults at higher risk of dementia by almost 50% over a three-year period.”
SDx developed the DISCERN™ test, the first and only autopsy-validated skin test, to provide healthcare professionals with a diagnostic tool to accurately identify and distinguish AD from other forms of dementia, even in the presence of co-morbid pathologies. A minimally invasive, 3mm skin punch biopsy, DISCERN can be administered in a primary care setting. The sample is sent to the SDx laboratory that is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) as qualified to perform high complexity clinical laboratory testing for analysis.
DISCERN assesses factors closely related to the formation of synaptic connections in the brain as well as the formation of amyloid plaque and abnormal tau. Synaptic connections are lost as cognitive functions decline, even early in AD. Amyloid plaques and abnormal tau are the pathologic hallmarks in the brain at autopsy that have been shown to be associated but not necessarily correlated to cognitive decline.
DISCERN is recognized as the world's only Gold Standard Validated benchmark to offer such clinical insight and is the first AD test of its kind to be paid for by Medicare. The autopsy-validated accuracy from a simple procedure performed in a clinicians office, combined with this positive economic modeling data, position DISCERN as a key solution to reduce the economic burden of AD across the healthcare system and inform an early and accurate diagnosis of AD, the first step in assessing patients for therapeutic intervention.
About SYNAPS Dx
SYNAPS Dx is a privately held company focused on the research, development and commercialization of a diagnostic test for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The company offers DISCERN™, the first highly accurate, minimally invasive test supporting a clinician's definitive diagnosis of AD versus other forms of dementia, even in people recently diagnosed with dementia. SYNAPS Dx's laboratory is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) as qualified to perform high-complexity clinical laboratory testing. Physicians and patients seeking more information can visit https://discerntest.com/. For more information on the company, visit https://www.synapsdx.com/. Contact: info@synapsdx.com.
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