Alzheimer’s disease develops slowly and silently, with biological changes in the brain beginning many years before any symptoms appear. A new study from researchers at the UC Irvine Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND) shows that we may be able to identify those most at risk using two simple and widely accessible tools: a blood test and a brief unsupervised memory assessment.
The research, led by MD/PhD student Casey Vanderlip and Professor Craig Stark, found that combining a blood measure of pTau-217, a highly specific marker of Alzheimer’s disease, with a short digital memory assessment significantly improved the ability to predict who will experience cognitive decline over the next several years. These tools are quick (~10 minutes), low-cost, and easy to scale, offering a real opportunity to bring early detection into everyday healthcare settings.
Participants in the study were all cognitively healthy, but had signs of amyloid buildup in the brain, a hallmark of early Alzheimer’s. While many of these individuals remained stable, those with both elevated pTau-217 and lower performance on the memory test were much more likely to show cognitive decline over the next five years. In fact, having both risk factors increased the odds of decline more than fourfold compared to those with neither indicator. This decline was observed not only on research-based measures but also on the Mini-Mental State Exam, a commonly used tool to screen for dementia in primary care.
The digital memory test used in this study focuses on subtle aspects of memory, such as the ability to tell apart similar images or remember face-name pairings. These types of memory are affected early in Alzheimer’s disease but often go unnoticed in traditional exams. The fact that such a brief, self-guided test can help flag early risk is a major advance, especially since it can be completed at home or in a primary care office without the need for a trained examiner.
Professor Craig Stark, who leads the Biomarker Core for the UCI Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, emphasizes the importance of accessible tools like these. “We know that Alzheimer’s starts in the brain long before clear symptoms show up,” he says. “If we can catch it early using a simple blood draw and a 10-minute memory test, we can get people the help they need before the damage becomes irreversible.”
The study represents a powerful step toward changing how we detect Alzheimer’s disease. By combining biology and behavior in a simple, scalable way, UCI researchers are helping pave the way for earlier diagnosis, more effective intervention, and better outcomes for people at risk.
According to Vanderlip, the vision is clear: “We want to bring Alzheimer’s detection into reach for everyone. If we can identify people early and get them the right care, we can make a real difference.”
Read Mr. Vanderlip’s and Dr. Stark’s recent article about this study in the journal, Alzheimer’s & Dementia
This research was supported by the National Institute on Aging.
