New Alzheimer’s Blood Tests: What You Need to Know
By Lauran Neergaard, AP Medical Writer
Published: Sept. 14, 2026, 6:44 PM PT
In recent developments, the FDA has approved four blood tests designed to help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in patients presenting with memory problems or cognitive symptoms. However, experts caution that these tests are not recommended for individuals who are symptom-free, despite growing interest from the public.
Understanding Alzheimer’s Blood Tests
While these blood tests show promise in identifying Alzheimer’s by detecting abnormal proteins related to the disease, specialists advise against their use for anxiety-free individuals. Testing expert Nicholas Ashton from Arizona’s Banner Health emphasizes that these assessments should only be conducted within the framework of research studies for the worried yet asymptomatic.
Preventing Alzheimer’s: No Testing Required
Doctors suggest focusing on preventive measures rather than testing. A large-scale study revealed that middle-aged individuals without risk factors—such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking—can expect to live nearly 13 years longer without dementia. Dr. Josef Coresh, one of the study’s authors, encourages proactive management of health risks to enhance brain longevity.
What Testing Can and Cannot Do
For individuals like 60-year-old Mark Yost, who has witnessed Alzheimer’s in loved ones, there’s an innate desire to gauge personal risk. While high levels of a specific protein (p-tau217) in blood samples indicate potential cognitive decline, a positive test result only signals a risk factor—not a definitive diagnosis. Moreover, many individuals may harbor high levels of amyloid without exhibiting symptoms, leading to the potential for false positives in test results.
Healthy Practices for Brain Health
A major clinical trial supported that implementing beneficial lifestyle changes can significantly reduce cognitive decline. Recommendations include:
- Engaging in moderate exercise for at least 30 minutes, four times a week.
- Incorporating resistance training twice weekly.
- Following the MIND diet, which favors leafy greens, berries, whole grains, poultry, and fish.
- Ensuring adequate sleep, social interaction, and mental stimulation.
Dr. Coresh adds that heart health strongly correlates with brain health, underscoring the importance of managing blood pressure and related conditions.
Future of Alzheimer’s Testing
As clinical trials progress, there’s hope that current Alzheimer’s treatments could become applicable before symptoms manifest, which may alter the future landscape of testing guidelines.
Neergaard writes for the Associated Press.
