Is it possible to identify Alzheimer’s disease early with a three-minute test?

Researchers are continuously working to find new methods for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, as current procedures generally identify problems only in the more advanced stages of the illness. Experts from the University of Bath and Cumulus Neuroscience Ltd. are developing a new test called Fastball EEG, which shows promising results in the early detection of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

The Innovative Test

This innovative test takes only three minutes and passively measures the brain’s electrical activity in a non-invasive manner while participants view images. During the examination, participants do not perform active tasks; they simply observe the displayed images while their brain responses are recorded using EEG. Based on the data obtained, researchers are able to draw conclusions about memory function.

Study Participants

The study involved 53 participants suffering from MCI and 54 healthy older adults. The results indicate that the Fastball test reliably distinguished between the two groups, allowing for the early identification of memory problems. Researchers emphasize that this method is independent of the effects of anxiety, education level, or language differences, which often distort the results of traditional memory tests.

Advantages of the New Method

The Fastball EEG test could revolutionize the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in several ways. The speed and objectivity of the procedure are outstanding, as participants do not need to engage actively, thus avoiding a stressful environment during the examination. Additionally, the test is culturally independent, meaning that the results are not influenced by the differences arising from various cultural backgrounds.

George Stothart, the lead researcher, highlighted that the test can even be performed at home, increasing comfort and reducing anxiety associated with the examination, especially for older adults. Currently, two large-scale, four-year clinical validation studies are underway in the UK, involving over 2,000 participants, aimed at validating the reliability and accuracy of the method.

Expert Opinions

Dr. Peter Gliebus, an expert who also views the new procedure positively, emphasized that the Fastball test could be an effective tool for the early detection of cognitive decline. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease often appear years before a diagnosis, making early detection crucial for effective treatment and preserving quality of life. Gliebus believes that combining the test with biomarkers, such as blood tests or brain imaging, could further enhance diagnostic effectiveness, and it is also important to test the method across different demographic groups.

Challenges and Critiques

Although the Fastball EEG test offers promising possibilities, it is not without criticism. Dr. Clifford Segil, a neurologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, pointed out that the application of the method in clinical practice may not become widespread. He believes that while examining the brain’s electrical activity can be useful in certain cases, it is not always reliable for diagnosing dementia and may lead to false positive results.

Segil cautioned that the Fastball method should be complemented with traditional EEG to take into account the activity of other areas of the brain. Continued research and development are essential for the method to hold up in practice and become a truly useful tool for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, alongside the potential of the new procedure and the hopes associated with it, significant scientific and clinical work still lies ahead to fully realize the possibilities offered by Fastball EEG.