Blood Biomarkers Distinguish Early-Onset Alzheimer’s and Frontotemporal Dementia in Korean Cohort

On 15 June, the National Institute of Health (NIH) of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced that blood-based biomarkers can predict disease course in early-onset dementia. In a two-year follow-up of 322 patients under 65 years (245 with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and 77 with frontotemporal dementia), higher levels of all key biomarkers were linked to faster cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s, while a distinct biomarker set tracked decline in frontotemporal dementia. Biomarker concentrations rose steadily in Alzheimer’s, confirming disease-specific signatures.

"Blood Tests Open Possibility for Early Diagnosis of Dementia"Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency uses blood tests to track early-onset dementia before 65

The study was led by Professor Hye-Min Jang (Asan Medical Center, Seoul) and Professor Eun-Ju Kim (Pusan National University Hospital), with Ko Young-Ho, head of the Brain Disease Research Division at NIH, acting as agency spokesperson. The cohort, part of a long-term “Early-Onset Dementia Patient Cohort” (first phase 2021-2023, second phase 2024-2026), enrolled 322 participants and recorded serial blood tests, cognitive assessments, and clinical outcomes.

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency uses blood tests to track early-onset dementia before 65"Blood Tests Open Possibility for Early Diagnosis of Dementia"

A simple blood draw could enable earlier therapeutic intervention, more accurate prognosis, and targeted enrollment for clinical trials. Distinct biomarker profiles also support disease-specific treatment pathways and facilitate integration with brain imaging and genomic data for personalized patient management.

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency uses blood tests to track early-onset dementia before 65

Professor Hye-Min Jang said the study “confirmed that the clinical implications of blood biomarkers differ between early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia,” underscoring its relevance for prognosis research. Ko Young-Ho stressed that “early-onset dementia occurs at a relatively young age and presents diverse symptoms, so early diagnosis and prediction of the course are particularly important,” and pledged continued evidence-building through combined biomarker, imaging, and genomic analyses.

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency uses blood tests to track early-onset dementia before 65"Blood Tests Open Possibility for Early Diagnosis of Dementia"

• “This study confirmed that the clinical implications of blood biomarkers differ between early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia,” — Professor Hye-Min Jang, Asan Medical Center

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency uses blood tests to track early-onset dementia before 65

• “Early-onset dementia occurs at a relatively young age and presents diverse symptoms, so early diagnosis and prediction of the course are particularly important,” — Ko Young-Ho, Head of Brain Disease Research Division, NIH

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency uses blood tests to track early-onset dementia before 65

• “Based on the domestic early-onset dementia cohort, we will continue to build evidence for personalized patient management through integrated analysis of blood biomarkers, brain imaging, and genomic information.” — Ko Young-Ho, NIH

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency uses blood tests to track early-onset dementia before 65

• “The research team stated, "This study demonstrates that blood biomarkers have different clinical implications in early-onset Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia," adding, "It is expected to be useful for future research aimed at predicting prognosis based on the unique characteristics of each disease.” — Research team, Early-Onset Dementia Patient Cohort

"Blood Tests Open Possibility for Early Diagnosis of Dementia"

The second phase (2024-2026) will expand the cohort, add longitudinal brain-imaging and whole-genome sequencing, and aim to refine biomarker thresholds, improve disease-specific prognostic models, and inform national guidelines for early-onset dementia care in Korea.

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency uses blood tests to track early-onset dementia before 65