Diagnosing the disease can be expensive, invasive and complicated. Research in RI could help speed up the process
Feb. 5, 2026, 5:04 a.m. ET
EAST PROVIDENCE – Alzheimer’s, a neurodegenerative disease, is the primary cause of dementia in the United States. In Rhode Island, more than one in 10 adults over age 65 – about 22,000 – have the disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the state, according to the CDC.
The disease takes a toll on its victims and their caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates the value of unpaid care for Alzheimer patients in Rhode Island is $1.4 billion.
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but the earlier it is detected and treated, the better a patient fares. The problem is diagnosing it – which often involves cognitive tests, brain imaging and cerebrospinal fluid analyses – which can be expensive, invasive and complicated due to insurance barriers. A PET scan, a
standard procedure for diagnosing Alzheimer’s, can cost $5,000 to $8,000.
Insurers may not cover it for patients who have a family history of the disease yet
show no symptoms. But what if a simple blood test – even a finger prick – could bolster the diagnostic
process? That is the question researchers at K2 Medical Research in East Providence are trying to answer.
The work is part of Bio-Hermes-002, an international study led by LifeArc, a nonprofit medical research organization, and funded by the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation. The study is recruiting more than 1,000 participants in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.
It builds on the research of BioHermes-001, which resulted in last year’s landmark approval by the FDA of a blood test for diagnosing Alzheimer’s. The observational study measures the presence of biomarkers tau and amyloid found in the blood. The buildup of these proteins in the brain, often detected
through brain imaging, is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s.
Daniel Sacchetti, a neurologist and principal investigator at the K2 Medical
Research study in East Providence, says the study’s findings could constitute a
medical breakthrough.“If we can make diagnosis of the disease easier and more accessible, and we
actually can develop treatments to alter the progression of the disease, this will be the most important change in clinical medicine this century,” Sacchetti said.
The study aims to enlist at least 25% of its volunteers from underrepresented groups. Research has shown that racial disparities exist in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.
K2 Medical Research is looking for volunteers age 60 to 90, with or without memory loss. Volunteers will need a partner, usually a family member, to attend visits in person or virtually.
People who participate in the study will get PET and MRI scans, which they will be able to take with them. To inquire about eligibility, call 401-955-5252 or visit k2med.com/k2eastprovidence to learn more.