Brainwave test could help find memory problems

A THREE-MINUTE brainwave test could detect signs of memory problems linked to Alzheimer’s disease years before clinical diagnosis is possible, a trial has found.

- STORM NEWTON

Researchers suggest this could be a cheap tool for those who struggle to get a diagnosis, and can be used in multiple settings, including the home.

Fastball, developed at the University of Bath, is a new method that uses EEG (electroencephalogram), a test that records the electrical activity of the brain by placing small sensors on the scalp.

It presents patients with rapid images and records the brain's automatic response.

The study, led by experts from the universities of Bath and Bristol, and published in the journal Brain Communications, included 52 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) - a decline in memory or thinking skills - and 54 healthy older adults.

Not all MCI cases progress to Alzheimer’s disease, but it can be an early sign and risk factor for the condition.