Japan approves one of the world's first blood test kits that might detect Alzheimer's. Japan's Sysmex Corporation, a maker of medical equipment and clinical tests, said on Thursday it had received regulatory approval in Japan for a blood test to detect amyloid beta in the brain, a characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.

The company developed the test with Japanese drugmaker Eisai Co and gained approval from regulators on December 19, 2022. The test kit is being seen as a rare advance in tackling a condition that affects tens of millions worldwide. 

This kit will use a small amount of the patient's blood to measure amyloid beta accumulation in the brain, which will allow early early diagnosis and treatment. Existing methods of diagnosing Alzheimer´s are expensive and medically intrusive, often involving a brain scan or spinal tap. 

"Unlike conventional testing methods, the kit allows testing with blood, thus reducing the physical, emotional, and financial burden on patients" the company said. 

The corporation said it was preparing for market introduction as soon as possible. Eisai and its United States-based partner Biogen Inc are planning to seek full approval of their experimental Alzheimer’s drug lecanemab in the US, Europe and Japan next year.