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A blood test can predict Alzheimer’s symptoms before they appear
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Higher levels of p-tau217 are associated with a greater risk of cognitive decline
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The test is promising, but not yet recommended for healthy people who don’t have symptoms
WEDNESDAY, July 15, 2026 (NewsDay News) — A simple blood test can accurately predict a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s symptoms up to ten years before they begin.
Test for one Alzogerer a biomarker called p-tau217.
“This is an important step toward better understanding what p-tau217 can tell us about human cognitive impairment risk,” said the lead author. Rachel Buckleya cognitive neuroscientist at the Brigham Institute for Neuroscience in Boston. “What really makes this work different is that it estimates a person’s level of risk for cognitive impairment.”
Researchers collected data from more than 2,600 cognitively healthy adults who underwent blood tests, brain scans and annual cognitive assessments.
The result: People with very high levels of p-tau217 had an estimated 38% risk of developing cognitive impairment over five years. This estimated risk increased to 78% over 10 years.
While the blood test recently received federal approval, the authors said it’s too soon to recommend it for people without symptoms.
“We still don’t have a disease-modifying treatment for people who know they are at high risk of developing cognitive impairment from Alzheimer’s disease,” said the senior and corresponding author. Dr. Reisa Sperlinga neurologist at the Brigham Mass Neurology Institute.
But, she said, that could change quickly if new treatments are successful in clinical trials. At this time, the medical advice remains unchanged regardless of the test results.
“Exercise regularly, maintain a healthy diet, and prioritize sleep and overall health,” Sperling said.
Future studies will follow different populations over longer periods of time to confirm and refine the findings.
In findings were published in the newspaper today Journal of the American Medical Association.
More information
The BrightFocus Foundation has more information tau protein and Alzheimer’s disease.
SOURCE: Health Day TVJuly 15, 2026
What does this mean for you?
A simple blood test can help predict your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in the year before symptoms appear.
