US EditionEarly Alzheimer’s signs detected in 3 minutes with new brainwave test
Fastball EEG test detects memory decline linked to Alzheimer’s years before diagnosis, showing reliable results in a trial of 106 participants, aiding early intervention efforts.
- Scientists at the Universities of Bristol and Bath have created a three-minute brainwave assessment called Fastball to identify early memory impairments associated with Alzheimer's disease.
- The test emerged because current diagnostic tools miss the first 10 to 20 years of Alzheimer's, delaying early and accurate diagnosis needed for timely intervention.
- In a study of 106 participants, individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment demonstrated notably lower EEG signal responses relative to healthy older adults, and the testing method was successfully implemented in non-clinical environments, including participants’ homes.
- Dr George Stothart highlighted that existing diagnostic methods fail to detect Alzheimer's during its initial decade or two, while Chris Williams praised Fastball as a remarkable solution for enabling dementia diagnosis in individuals who may lack access to traditional clinical assessments.
- While Fastball cannot yet classify individuals or predict disease progression, larger trials and long-term studies are underway to validate its clinical utility and potential for wider screening.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Alzheimer’s disease: new three-minute test can spot memory issues – here’s how it works and what it can tell you
The Fastball EEG test measures how the brain responds to images flashed on a screen. Dmytro Zinkevych/ ShutterstockA new test could help to diagnose memory issues associated with Alzheimer’s disease in as little as three minutes. According to recently published findings the test, called the Fastball EEG test, may one day help doctors flag people who need further checks for Alzheimer’s disease without the need for unnecessary waits or time-consum…
A 3-minute brainwave test could spot Alzheimer’s years before symptoms
Scientists at the University of Bath have developed a simple three-minute brainwave test called Fastball EEG that can detect memory problems years before Alzheimer’s is typically diagnosed. Unlike traditional memory tests, it passively records brain responses to images and has now been proven effective in people’s homes. With breakthrough Alzheimer’s drugs working best in early stages, this low-cost, accessible tool could transform early detecti…
Evening Standard
perspectivemedia.comBrainwave test ‘detects Alzheimer’s-linked memory issues years before diagnosis’
Researchers suggest this could be a cheap tool for those who struggle to get a diagnosis.
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