A groundbreaking Alzheimer’s blood test that is already in clinical use across other G7 countries is coming to Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC), thanks to funding from the YGK Healthcare Champions.
The initiative, led by KHSC’s cognitive neurologist Dr. Durjoy Lahiri and clinical biochemist Dr. Yun Huang, will mark a major leap forward in early detection and treatment. Support for the project will be raised through the group’s annual fundraising golf tournament, taking place on August 20 at Loyalist Golf & Country Club. Last year, the volunteer-led tournament raised $55,000 in support of a KHSC program assisting veterans, military personnel and first responders living with chronic pain and PTS(D).
This year, donors will help launch an early-detection test that Dr. Lahiri describes as “life-changing for many people.”
Currently, diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease in Canada often involves invasive spinal taps or costly PET scans. KHSC’s new project introduces a simple blood test (p-tau217) that identifies Alzheimer’s with more than 90 per cent accuracy.
“This is something that some of the other G7 countries already use,” said Dr. Lahiri, noting the test was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in May of 2025. “By adopting it now, KHSC has the chance to lead the way nationally in simplifying Alzheimer’s diagnostics.”
The test also offers families something they often struggle to find: clarity.
Lahiri shared the story of a male patient who had been losing the ability to manage everyday tasks, from buttoning a shirt to understanding how to put it on. His family had no answers despite multiple assessments. A simple blood test revealed early-onset Alzheimer’s.
“His mother was devastated,” Dr. Lahiri recalled, “but she said, ‘At least now we have an answer.’ Even before we had treatment options, knowing the diagnosis gave families a direction. And now, in fact, we have an advanced treatment for Alzheimer’s approved by Health Canada. Timely implementation of this bloodwork can immensely facilitate the rollout of this novel therapy with the potential of slowing down the disease process. ”
Approximately 100 patients per year are expected to benefit from the test during its initial phase, with the potential for expansion if additional funding becomes available. Each test costs about $300, including specialized processing and shipping to a special lab in B.C.
For Dr. Yun Huang, who oversees the laboratory process, donor support is essential.
“We understand how important these biomarkers are for physicians and for patients,” Dr. Huang said. “Without community funding, it would be impossible to offer this service in a timely manner. And this is not only for the patient. It’s for the family. Alzheimer’s affects everyone.”
The YGK Healthcare Champions’ investment ensures KHSC can continue building a modern, evidence-based pathway for diagnosis and treatment at a critical moment.
“A single test, can have a butterfly effect,” Dr. Lahiri said. “One small change can expand in a huge way, improving diagnosis, guiding treatment and ultimately giving people more years of independent life.”
Anyone interested in supporting this Alzheimer’s project or sponsoring the YGK Healthcare Champions’ golf tournament are asked to contact Krista Lessard (UHKF Associate, Healthcare Engagement & Sustainability) at 613.549.5452 ext. 5917 or Krista.Lessard@uhkf.ca.