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Most people have a blood test that assesses their risk of Alzheimer’s disease
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About 85% of patients said they would have the test if recommended by their doctor
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This is despite the fact that 3 out of 4 people say that a positive test causes emotional distress
FRIDAY, April 17, 2026 (NewsDay News) – Most people want a blood test to assess their risk. Alzheimer’s diseaseInstead, don’t worry about their chances, says a new study.
About 85% of primary care patients say they have a blood test that looks for proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease, according to a report published April 15 in Alzheimer’s and Dementia: Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.
These patients said they were interested, although nearly 3 in 4 (73%) said they expected a positive test to cause emotional distress.
That’s why anxiety about Alzheimer’s disease may be overblown, a leading researcher says Andrea Russella psychologist at Northwestern University in Chicago, said in a news release.
Russell treats people with early cognitive impairment and sees how a missed word or a forgotten appointment can trigger the fear of Alzheimer’s disease.
“I see patients whose lives are cut short,” Russell said. “Some are afraid to leave the house because they’re afraid they’ll forget something or get lost. Others don’t want to know what’s going on because there’s so much doom and gloom surrounding Alzheimer’s disease. For many, it’s a new cancer diagnosis.”
Alzheimer’s disease affects about 7.2 million older adults in the U.S., and that number is expected to double by 2060, the researchers said in background notes.
Several Alzheimer’s blood tests have received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for people 55 and older with symptoms of the degenerative brain disease, researchers said in background notes.
The tests measure levels of amyloid and tau proteins in a person’s bloodstream. These proteins are known to form plaques and tangles in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s.
They haven’t been talked about yet. The results showed that about 84% of patients were not aware of the existence of such tests.
“These tests aren’t ready for widespread use, but they could be soon,” Russell said. “As researchers, we strive to provide care that focuses on the needs of the patient first, so it is important for us to know what they think about these tests.”
To determine how prepared people are for these tests, researchers surveyed nearly 600 primary care patients who participated in three ongoing studies in Chicago. All were 21 or older with at least one chronic health problem.
In the survey, the participants were given brief information about the tests. They were informed that the tests would identify a higher risk, but would not provide a definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
The results showed that:
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94% said it was important to offer tests to patients with memory or thinking problems.
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85% said they would agree to a test if a doctor recommended it.
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60% said it was “very important” to offer annual screening to adults 65 and older, even though such screening is not currently recommended.
“Patients and families are often frustrated by the delay in receiving a diagnosis of cognitive problems and the feeling of not knowing what to do,” Russell said. “They don’t know that their perceived cognitive impairment is not a health-related issue, normal aging or yet-to-be-diagnosed dementia.”
People have said that they do not get positive results in sleeping. Nearly 9 in 10 (87%) said they are willing to take steps to protect their brain health.
“What’s healthy for the brain is healthy for the body,” Russell said. “If people understand that they may be at higher risk, they may want to take action, such as managing chronic conditions, improving nutrition and staying connected to their health care. These steps can help them prolong their independence and well-being.”
The top barriers to getting tested were cost (49%); concerns about test reliability (35%); fear of a positive result (22%); and concern about another approach after a positive result (24%).
More information
Harvard Medical School has more information Alzheimer’s blood tests.
Source: Northwestern University, release, April 15, 2026
What does this mean for you?
People who are concerned about their brain health should ask their doctor about a blood test for Alzheimer’s disease.
