Trial finds three-minute test can help detect early Alzheimer’s risk

A three-minute brainwave test named Fastball has shown promising results that can detect memory problems linked to Alzheimer’s disease long before it is commonly identified.

The test developed by the University of Bath uses an electroencephalogram (EEG) to record the brain’s electrical activity while a person experiences a series of rapid changes.

Meanwhile, a small trial found a three-minute brainwave test to distinguish people at higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Trials in larger groups are underway.

The Fastball is a form of electroencephalogram (EEG) test designed to detect memory problems associated with Alzheimer’s disease at an early stage.

The test identifies memory issues by analyzing the brain’s automatic response to familiar images.

Mild cognitive impairment is a condition that causes problems with memory, language, but these symptoms are not yet severe enough to prevent a person from managing their daily activities.

However, for the trial assessment, 54 healthy adults and 52 patients with mild MCI were involved in the test.

The volunteers were shown eight images and told to name them before the start of tests, but not particularly to remember them.

The researchers then recorded the participant’s brain activity as they watched hundreds of images appear on a screen.

However, each image appeared for a third of a second and every fifth picture was one of the eight they had seen before.

Scientists found that those individuals with amnestic MCI, which largely affects a person’s memory for objects, had reduced responses as compared to the tests when compared with healthy citizens and those with non-amnestic MCI.

It has been observed that people with amnestic MCI are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than those with non-amnestic MCI.

It was observed that study results had certain limitations and could not identify who would develop Alzheimer’s disease.

These results will help doctors to access the initial stages of patients at high risk.

Dr Julia Dudley of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said, “It’s encouraging to see studies exploring potential ways to detect memory problems earlier….”

According to Julia Dudley, future research will determine how other factors may influence brainwave tests and how these tests work parallel to other diagnosis tools like cognitive assessments.