Brainwave test can provide early warning of Alzheimer's disease

A three-minute brainwave test can detect memory problems linked to Alzheimer's disease long before people are typically diagnosed, raising hopes that the approach could help identify those most likely to benefit from new drugs for the condition.

- Ian Sample

In a small trial, the test flagged specific memory issues in people with mild cognitive impairment, highlighting who was at greater risk of developing Alzheimer's. More trials are under way to assess the test's performance in a larger group.

The Fastball test is a form of EEG, or electroencephalogram, which uses small sensors on the scalp to record the brain's electrical activity while people watch a stream of images on a screen. The test detects memory problems by analysing the brain's automatic responses to images the person sees before the test.