Scientists have developed an antibody-screening blood test that may one day be used to detect diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Researchers say while this test is in its infancy, there is cause for excitement because the test allows them to identify biomarkers for any disease to which the immune system reacts. However, additional testing needs to be conducted in a larger patient sampling. The study was published in the Jan. 7 issue of the journal Cell. Researchers agree a blood test would be less invasive than current diagnostic methods, HealthDay News reported.

In related news, investigators at Tufts University asked 1,463 study participants to respond to randomly generated scenarios in which they were asked if they would get a blood test to find out if they had a disease such as Alzheimer’s. The scenarios stipulated that the disease was not preventable and that the out-of-pocket fee for the test is high.

Researchers found that the majority of respondents would get the test anyway. Those who did want to know said they’d be more likely to sign up for an advance directive and spend more time with friends and family members. This study was published in the journal Health Economics.