Simple blood test to detect Alzheimers long before memory loss has been developed by scientists

A groundbreaking blood test could one day identify healthy older adults at high risk of developing Alzheimer's symptoms years before memory loss begins, offering scientists a powerful new tool in the quest to halt the disease's progression.

Researchers announced on Wednesday that individuals with the highest levels of a blood marker called p-tau217 faced a 38% probability of developing cognitive impairment within five years, escalating to a 78% chance within a decade.

While the test is not yet ready for widespread clinical use, and experts caution against healthy individuals rushing to get screened, its immediate value lies in identifying volunteers for clinical trials. These trials aim to determine whether new drugs can effectively delay or prevent Alzheimer's disease.

Should these treatments prove successful, scientists believe a reliable method for identifying at-risk individuals before symptoms manifest will be crucial.

"Wait and get tested when you can potentially do something about it," advised Dr. Reisa Sperling of the Mass General Brigham Neuroscience Institute, the study's senior author. "At this point it wouldn't change what I would tell someone to do. I'd still tell them to eat well, sleep well, exercise a lot and stay engaged."

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Source: The Independent, 15 July 2026