The new test, known as the Lumipulse G pTau217/ß-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio, detects amyloid plaques through blood testing, a type of protein indicative of Alzheimer's, the Alzheimer's Association explained in a Friday press release. These plaques can be seen in patients through a PET scan, according to the FDA.

The US Food and Drug Administration has given marketing clearance to a blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, making the test the first to get signoff to aid in the early detection of the disease in the United States.