World Alzheimer’s Day: Can Blood Tests Predict Memory Issues Early?
Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia that causes progressive memory loss and neurodegeneration. Around 60-80% cases of dementia are accounted for by Alzheimer’s disease [1]. September 21 is celebrated as World Alzheimer’s Day to create awareness about the difficulties individuals with Alzheimer’s face, early diagnosis and the need for continued research on the challenging disease.
While there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s, blood tests have been developed that can help in the early detection of the disease, thereby allowing doctors to suggest supportive care and early management of the disease. On this Alzheimer’s Day, let us understand the importance of early diagnosis, the symptoms of the disease and the importance of providing compassionate care to individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
What is Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder. It is the most common type of dementia, implying there is memory loss and a decline in other types of cognitive abilities. Essentially, it is the progressive death of the brain cells or neurons. This death of the neurons leads to brain shrinkage, and the person will display problems with their abilities to think, understand the events around them and complete basic daily tasks. Contrary to common misconceptions, it is not a normal aspect of growing old. The disease is progressive. While there is no cure for the disease, some treatments have been shown to slow the worsening of the disease and help improve the quality of life for the diagnosed individuals [1]. Understanding the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and providing compassionate care to the persons living with the disease is important for showing support to the person diagnosed and their families managing the health of the patient.
Signs of Alzheimer’s
There are several common symptoms of Alzheimer’s as listed below –
- Memory Loss – This is the most common symptom, and the memory loss severely impacts the daily life of the individual. Examples include forgetting recent events, dates and asking the same questions repeatedly.
- Challenges in Completing Familiar Tasks – The person may face difficulties in completing familiar tasks at home or work. The person may not remember the directions to a familiar location or where the food is kept in their home.
- Confusion Regarding Time and Place – The person may lose track of the time, date, and place. This can impact the person’s ability to comprehend how they reached a specific location or how the season changed, as the passage of time may also be difficult to comprehend.
- Challenges with Words – The individual may face challenges with words in either speaking or writing or both. The person may have to repeat themselves, feel unsure of how to continue a sentence, or use the wrong vocabulary.
- Misplacing Things – The person may frequently misplace their things and find it difficult to retrace their steps or remember where/if they misplaced the object. The person may feel suspicious of others and may accuse others of stealing the object.
- Poor Judgment – The judgment of the individual may decline with the progression of the disease, such as grooming, hygiene, handling money, etc. The individual is likely to face challenges in decision-making related to these aspects.
- Mood and Personality Changes – The person may showcase changes in their personality, such as being increasingly suspicious of others, depressed or anxious. They may not feel comfortable around familiar friends and family with the progression of the disease [2].
How is Alzheimer’s Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s requires a range of tests, such as mental status tests, neurological exams, medical history and physical tests. Memory impairment and thinking skills are measured with the help of these tests. Tests may be done to rule out other problems and diseases that can cause cognitive decline. Some of the medically relevant processes for diagnosing Alzheimer’s include –
- Physical Exams – These could include tests related to the heart, lungs and overall health.
- Medical History – The history of cognitive changes in the person will be assessed by the doctor, including medications being taken and medical conditions of other family members.
- Cognitive and Behavioural Tests – These are done to assess the thinking, memory and problem-solving abilities of the person. Changes in behaviour as well as progress of other symptoms can easily be assessed through such tests. Examples include the Ascertain Dementia 8 (AD8) and the Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS).
- Neurological Exam – This includes testing the individual’s reflexes, eye movements, speech, coordination, and sensation. Brain imaging (CT and MRI) can also be a part of these tests.
- Depression Screening – Mood disorders, such as depression, can also cause changes in behaviour, and symptoms can overlap with dementia. Therefore, the doctor screens the person for depression.
- Blood Tests – There is ongoing research, but some blood tests can be indicative of Alzheimer’s.
- CSF Tests – The Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is obtained through a lumbar puncture, and changes in CSF levels of multiple markers can be noted in case of early stages of the disease.
How can Blood Tests Help with Early Detection?
Blood tests can be used in the early detection of Alzheimer’s. Blood tests can help rule out other diseases which can cause similar problems. Blood tests are non-invasive procedures for detecting Alzheimer’s in its early stages. This is how blood tests can help in early detection –
1) Biomarker detection: The blood can be used to assess if certain proteins and the associated ratios of Alzheimer's are present in the sample.
2) Amyloid and Tau Proteins: The blood tests assess whether there are levels of amyloid beta and specific forms of tau, like p-tau217.
3) Ratio Calculation: Some blood tests may also calculate a ratio of these proteins to assess the presence of amyloid plaques in the brain, a major sign of Alzheimer's.
4) Accuracy: These tests have the potential to help in disease identification with about 90% accuracy [3].
These blood tests can be an effective complementary tool and also help in differentiating Alzheimer’s from other forms of dementia. While the use of blood tests for detecting Alzheimer’s has been a major leap in recent times towards the early diagnosis of the disease and is a more accessible form of detecting Alzheimer’s, they are yet to be introduced on a global wide-scale basis.
Conclusion
World Alzheimer’s Day marks an important occasion for spreading awareness and understanding related to Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s presents many similar symptoms to other neurodegenerative conditions, and ruling out other disorders is important for the correct diagnosis of the disease.
It is important to break the stigma associated with Alzheimer’s and understand the importance of effective supportive care. Detection of Alzheimer’s requires a large-scale range of testing. However, recent research has been able to develop non-invasive blood tests that can allow for the early detection of the disease through a simple blood sample. With rapid research on the disease, these tests may become easily accessible and help in the early diagnosis as well as the provision of supportive care for the disease.
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References
[1] Alzheimer’s Association, 2025, ‘What is Alzheimer's Disease?’, Alz, retrieved from < https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers>
[2] CDC, 2024, ‘Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's’, CDC, <https://www.cdc.gov/alzheimers-dementia/signs-symptoms/alzheimers.html>
[3] Reynolds, S., 2024, ‘Accurate blood test for Alzheimer's disease’, National Institute of Health, < https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/accurate-blood-test-alzheimer-s-disease>
