A Future Worth Remembering: Advancing Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the seventh leading causes of death in the United States, with nearly 120,000 instances of death in 2021. More than 7 million Americans aged 65 and older are currently living with Alzheimer’s dementia1. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common of cause of dementia, accounting for approximately 60% – 80% of cases. Alzheimer’s occurs from the accumulation of the protein beta-amyloid outside neurons, and twisted strands of the protein tau inside neurons are hallmarks. The accumulation of beta-amyloid and twisted neurons is accompanied by the death of neurons and damage to brain tissue, as well as inflammation and atrophy of brain tissue. Difficulty remembering recent conversations, names, and/or events; apathy; and depression are often early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Issues with communication, confusion, poor judgment, and behavioral changes may follow as the disease progresses. Late stages of the disease may present with difficulty walking, speaking, and swallowing. Neurological changes that could indicate Alzheimer’s disease tend to develop as people age, as does the risk of developing the disease itself. Some previous studies have also found links between cognitive decline and health conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, and depression2.
While not everyone experiencing cognitive decline has or will develop Alzheimer’s disease, early detection and diagnosis can offer deeper insights into navigating potential next steps, including treatment options. Early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s are closely linked, and unlike screening tests for other diseases that may pick up biological signals before outward physical symptoms appear, detecting and diagnosing Alzheimer’s depends on physician assessment, often prompted by the individual or caretaker’s observations of memory and thinking problems. At least, that was the case.
There is promising new information on early detection of the disease, which might offer more rapid intervention and improved lifestyle changes for those at risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease.
According to a 2025 press release, the United States Food and Drug Administration cleared for marketing the first in vitro diagnostic device that tests blood to aid in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease. As stated in the briefing, “The Lumipulse G pTau217/ß-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio is for the early detection of amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease in adult patients, aged 55 years and older, exhibiting signs and symptoms of the disease.” Additionally, in 2026, researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis developed a method to predict when someone is likely to develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s using a single blood test4. In a new study published in Natural Medicine, researchers focused on a specific protein in the blood, p-tau217, which serves as a marker for the “‘plaques and tangles’” that slowly accumulate in the brain of those affected with Alzheimer’s6. The researchers demonstrated that their models predicted the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms within a margin of three to four years, which could have implications for both clinic trials being developed to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and for eventually identifying individuals likely to benefit from such treatments. Although there is currently no cure or effective form of treatment for Alzheimer’s, early detection and diagnosis could also ease other concerns, such as reducing anxiety and promoting peace of mind, empowering individuals through knowledge to promote a sense of self-control and agency over decision-making, promoting healthy behaviors like eating well and exercising, improving personal and financial planning, and promoting proactive safety measures such as managing driving abilities, medication adherence, and home improvements6. Through these innovations in diagnosing, clinicians and scientists are creating a new future for generations to come, one worth remembering.
References
1.Alzheimer’s Association. 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. Alzheimer’s & Dementia [Internet]. 2024 Apr 30;20(5):3708–821. Available from: https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/alz.13809
2.Alzheimer’s Association. 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures [Internet]. Alzheimer’s Association . Alzheimer’s Association; 2025. Available from: https://www.alz.org/getmedia/ef8f48f9-ad36-48ea-87f9-b74034635c1e/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf
3.Crosier S. LinkedIn [Internet]. Linkedin.com. LinkedIn Corporation; 2026 [cited 2026 Mar 10]. Available from: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-breakthroughs-alzheimers-causes-care-pkmce/
4.Ballard S. Blood test “clocks” predict when Alzheimer’s symptoms will start | WashU Medicine [Internet]. WashU Medicine. Washington University in St. Louis; 2026. Available from: https://medicine.washu.edu/news/blood-test-clocks-predict-when-alzheimers-symptoms-will-start/
5. Office. FDA Clears First Blood Test Used in Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease [Internet]. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2025. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-clears-first-blood-test-used-diagnosing-alzheimers-disease
6.Neff D. Blood Test Estimates When Alzheimer’s Symptoms Will Start [Internet]. Healthday.com. 2026 [cited 2026 Mar 10]. Available from: https://www.healthday.com/health-news/neurology/blood-test-estimates-when-alzheimers-symptoms-will-start?WT.mc_id=enews2026_02_25&utm_source=enews-aff-156&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=enews-2026-02-25&utm_content=homeoffice&utm_term=Story1
7.American Perspectives on Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease in the Era of Treatment [Internet]. Alzheimer’s Association. Alzheimer’s Association; Available from: https://www.alz.org/getmedia/3d226bf2-0690-48d0-98ac-d790384f4ec2/alzheimers-facts-and-figures-special-report.pdf
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