Tag Archives: blood tests

July 26, 2026 · 2:44 pm

Blood test may detect dementia risk a decade before symptoms appear

Seven labeled blood sample tubes with colored caps in a clear rack on a lab bench

Research shared at the 2026 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference demonstrated positive developments for a blood test that can predict increased risk of dementia up to 10 years before initial symptoms surface.

I’ve long followed the research developments when it comes to blood tests for Alzheimer’s because I believe it could help people get diagnosed earlier, where current approved treatments have the best chance of slowing down the disease. We need a simple, minimally-invasive method to detect cognitive changes as early as possible, and the blood biomarker p-tau217 may play a critical role.

According to researchers, study participants with the highest levels of the blood biomarker p-tau217 had an approximately 78% risk of developing cognitive impairment over a 10-year period. P-tau217 is associated with tau tangles in the brain and with levels of beta amyloid, both which are Alzheimer’s hallmarks, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. The full study is published on JAMA.

Elevated levels of protein can exist in a person’s brain with no noticeable memory or thinking problems. It’s important to note that some people have high levels of tau and don’t develop cognitive issues. Still, the results of this study are promising in adding an accessible tool to what can be a frustrating diagnostic process.

While there will be a debate on the value of predictive data for a disease with no cure, a study I reported on earlier this year found that people overwhelmingly support such tests being available. I have always been firmly in the camp of wanting to know what my Alzheimer’s risk is because it runs so rampant in my family. That’s why I’ve done genetic testing, which found I have a copy of the APOE4 gene. If the p-tau217 becomes available to the public, I would seek it out.

If my brain were filled with tau tangles would I drastically change my life? I’m not sure, but we do know that lifestyle changes can have a positive impact on reducing dementia risk. I also think such a finding would prompt me to legally finalize my plans (medical power of attorney, etc.) if I should become cognitively impaired. If test results suggested I was at a much greater risk of developing dementia over the next 10 years, I probably would shift priorities to ensure that any projects that require my full brain power, such as writing another book, get done sooner, rather than later. The same with travel or any other bucket list goals.

I’ve followed Alzheimer’s research closely for about 20 years now, and over the next 20 years, my risk of developing this disease will increase. The current state of research seems to be more on a trajectory of disease management, than a cure. Early testing, lifestyle changes, and better treatments will all play critical roles for how my generation will navigate Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Final call: I’m participating in the Smashwords July Summer/Winter sale. Get my books, including the award-winning The Reluctant Caregiver, for half-off the normal price. The sale runs through July 31.

Study finds most people support an Alzheimer’s blood test

A new study found that while many people are not aware of the scientific advances made in blood-based biomarker tests for Alzheimer’s, most support their availability and would be willing to take the test upon their doctor’s recommendation.

I recently wrote about how dried blood samples captured on a card could allow people to do an at-home test for Alzheimer’s biomarkers. But I knew I had written about such blood tests before then, so I dug into The Memories Project archives and sure enough, I found a post from 2014. I didn’t realize it had been 12 years since I had written about the potential for a blood test to diagnose Alzheimer’s. It’s a stark reminder of how long scientific progress can take to reach the general public. As the HealthDay article points out, only a couple of blood tests that check for levels of amyloid and tau proteins in a person’s bloodstream have been approved by the FDA and are not yet ready for widespread use.

The latest study captured the opinions of nearly 600 people, average age 62, from the Chicago area. Over half had a close relative who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. While 84 percent of those surveyed were unaware of blood biomarker tests, 94 percent said it was important to offer such tests to those with suspected memory or cognitive issues. And on another promising note, 85 percent of those surveyed would be willing to take such a test if it was recommended by their doctor.

Getting that public approval is key to maximize the value of screening tests. The study also found that 60% of those surveyed felt it was important to offer blood-based biomarker tests for Alzheimer’s to those age 65 and older on an annual basis.

The study identified potential barriers for blood test adoption, and cost, test reliability, and concerns about the consequences of receiving a positive result were among the top concerns. I would also be concerned about cost and whether the test would be covered by health insurance, as well as reliability. But my opinion about taking such a test hasn’t changed since 2014: I would definitely take such a test. With dementia on both sides of my family tree, I think it’s important to capture any changes in cognitive health as early as possible. The current Alzheimer’s treatments on the market work best for those in the early stages of the disease. Earlier diagnosis gives people the opportunity to make decisions about their future care and to take advantage of quality time with family before significant cognitive decline.

If you have questions or concerns about Alzheimer’s screening options, talk to your doctor.

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Filed under Awareness & Activism

Tagged as Alzheimer's, biomarkers, blood tests, dementia, diagnosis

February 21, 2026 · 9:00 am

How dried blood spots could be valuable in large-scale Alzheimer’s screening initiatives

Over 10 years ago, I wrote about an experimental blood test being tested that could help predict a person’s risk of developing dementia over the course of the next few years. There have been a lot of developments in the blood test space since then. This month, the Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry wrote about new research exploring a promising, low-cost option for large-scale Alzheimer’s screening: dried blood spots.

Not that long ago, the idea that Alzheimer’s could be diagnosed with a blood test seemed like a major breakthrough, since prior to that, diagnosis either came post-mortem or an invasive spinal tap procedure. There are cognitive-based tests that doctors use to screen for dementia, such as the clock test, but those are not as definitive in nature as a blood test for Alzheimer’s biomarkers, which was approved by the FDA in 2025.

But blood tests still present challenges, requiring a medical professional to draw the sample, and then proper handling to ensure the same remains viable until it reaches the testing laboratory. Researchers in Europe brainstormed on how to simplify the procedure and are now actively testing a process that uses dried blood spots. A person takes the blood sample themselves at home, using a finger prick method. The sample is collected on a card, allowed to dry, and then mailed into a laboratory. Early results are promising, with high accuracy rates, but more work needs to be done to perfect the process.

One interesting point that researchers noted was that people in the study didn’t like the finger puncture, so a different collection method involving the upper arm is being explored. The issue with finger punctures may have led to more sample failures than desired. I know when I used a finger prick test at home (to check my cholesterol level), the first time it worked fine, but the second time, I struggled to get a proper sample and I received notice from the lab that my sample couldn’t be used. It was a frustrating experience and I ended up going to a medical clinic for a traditional blood draw.

Still, if the process becomes reliable and affordable, I strongly prefer at-home tests. Such a test would open up dementia screening for underserved populations and help people access treatment options earlier.

Image generated by Google Gemini.