Answers from the Lab

Alicia Algeciras, Ph.D., describes Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ new blood test to detect NFLC, or neurofilament light chain protein. NFLC is a biomarker for several neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease. The new assay can guide physicians’ treatment pathways while avoiding the need for more-invasive testing of cerebral spinal fluid.

Show Notes

(00:32)
 Could you let our listeners know a bit about your role and background at Mayo Clinic?

(01:23)
 Is there a lot of information sharing between our neurology clinicians and the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center when it comes to test development?

(01:50)
 Can you give us a brief overview of the test?

(03:17)
 Is a cerebral spinal fluid test for NFLC already on the market?

(04:41)
 How has Mayo Clinic been able to launch this test in blood? 

(05:49)
 What is a laboratory developed test, and what does it mean for physicians?

(07:00)
 Do we have a high degree of confidence that physicians will get an actionable result from this blood test?

(07:45)
 How will Mayo Clinic Laboratories help physicians interpret the test results?

(09:15)
 For which patients is this test most appropriate?

(10:59)
 How might patients benefit from this test?

(11:46)
 How can this test help physicians to know which treatment path to pursue?

(12:33)
 How else might this test benefit patients?

(13:49)
 What about this test excites you most?

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A Mayo Clinic curated podcast sharing Mayo Clinic knowledge and advancements on the state of testing, science, and people who are making it happen behind the scenes.