An NIA-funded biotech company may be one step closer to developing a blood-based diagnostic for Alzheimer’s disease.  This biotech company, Amprion, recently received a Breakthrough Device Designation by the FDA for a test developed to detect the alpha-synuclein protein in the cerebrospinal fluid and bloodstream, a known biomarker for Parkinson’s disease.  Such designation by the FDA paves the way for faster development, assessment, and review, and potentially FDA approval of the technology.  Small Business grants from the NIA are enabling Amprion to adopt their test to specifically detect traces of two biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease, amyloid and tau aggregates, in cerebrospinal fluid and the bloodstream.  With this new FDA designation for their technology, this company may be on track to develop a test that could help facilitate early detection and diagnosis of these devasting diseases.