New EEG Test Shows Promise in Early Alzheimer’s Detection
BATH, UK – A novel brainwave test developed by researchers at the universities of Bath and Bristol could revolutionize the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease, potentially identifying memory decline years before current diagnostic tools. The test, utilizing electroencephalogram (EEG) technology - which records brain activity via sensors on the scalp – focuses on measuring the brain’s automatic response to rapidly presented images.
Published in the journal Brain Communications, the study involved 106 participants: 52 individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 54 healthy older adults. Researchers discovered that patients with amnestic MCI – characterized by important memory loss, such as difficulty recalling recent events – exhibited notably reduced brain responses to the “fastball” image test compared to both healthy participants and those with non-amnestic MCI.
“We miss the first 10-20 years in the evolution of Alzheimer’s disease with current diagnostic tools,” explained Dr. George Stothart, a researcher in cognitive neuronal sciences at the University of Bath and lead author of the study. “Fastball offers a way to change this, detecting the decline of memory much earlier and more objectively, using a quick and passive test.”
Crucially, the study demonstrated the test’s reliability over time, with re-testing after one year showing “moderate to good reliability” in healthy adults. Moreover, researchers confirmed the test could be administered in patients’ homes, offering a significant advantage in accessibility.The findings arrive at a critical time, as Alzheimer’s disease prevalence is projected to rise dramatically. Currently, an estimated 982,000 people in the United Kingdom live with dementia, with over one-third remaining undiagnosed. This number is expected to reach 1.4 million by 2040.According to Dr. stothart, the affordability, portability, and real-world applicability of the Fastball test make it a potentially vital tool. “There is an urgent need for precise and practical tools to diagnose Alzheimer’s widely. The fastball test is cheap, portable and works under real conditions.”
The study’s publication coincides with a new report from Alzheimer’s society highlighting significant gaps in dementia care. A recent poll of nearly 3,500 individuals affected by dementia revealed that only one-third had a positive diagnostic experience,with 52% citing long waiting times and 41% reporting difficulty navigating consultations with multiple medical professionals as obstacles. The report also indicates that one in five people with dementia receive no support at all.