Four FDA-approved blood tests can now help doctors diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in patients already experiencing cognitive symptoms. Specialists caution that these tests are not approved to predict whether healthy people will eventually develop the disease.
Research continues to associate exercise, adequate sleep, social activity, hearing care and management of blood pressure, diabetes and smoking with lower dementia risk.
What is confirmed
The tests can detect Alzheimer’s-related biomarkers after symptoms appear. A positive result in an otherwise healthy person does not reliably predict when, or whether, dementia will develop. Lifestyle changes can reduce risk but cannot guarantee prevention.