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A new blood test that can detect the presence of Alzheimer’s brain plaques became the first to hit the commercial market on a wide scale in late October, according to developer C2N Diagnostics. 

The PrecivityAD test can detect the presence of biomarkers for amyloid beta, a hallmark of the disease, and is consistent with the results of a diagnostic brain scan. 

“While the test by itself cannot diagnose Alzheimer’s disease … the test is an important new tool for physicians to aid in the evaluation process,” C2N Diagnostics said.

It is available in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.