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... "People should feel hopeful that we have secured a major policy advancement, that it's going to help families who are going through the diagnosis process, not just for Alzheimer's, but for other diseases like cancer," Kovel said.

Biomarkers, short for biological markers, are measurable changes in a person that show if a disease is present or if they are at risk of developing it. Kovel said that the types of biomarker tests available can vary, but they often include either imaging scans or collecting samples of body fluids or tissue.

Historically, biomarker testing has been used primarily in the diagnosis of cancer and autoimmune diseases; however, as technology has improved, it's also being applied in early detection efforts for neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Medical providers also use biomarker testing to help determine the best treatment plans, but access to these tests isn't always equitable. ...