A simple blood test could predict Alzheimer's decline

Alzheimer's decline could be predicted with a simple blood test already offered to those at risk of type 2 diabetes.

- REBECCA WHITTAKER

The disease is the most common type of dementia, with symptoms including confusion, speech and language issues, problems with moving around and behaviour changes.

Around a million people in the UK are living with dementia, but that figure is projected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040, Alzheimer's UK warns.

There is currently no cure for the disease nor any definitive way to predict how quickly it will progress, only medicines to help relieve some of the symptoms.

However, research presented at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2025 suggests a blood test used to detect insulin resistance could also identify patients at a high risk of cognitive decline.

Neurologists at the University of Brescia in Italy analysed data from 315 non-diabetic patients with cognitive deficits, including 200 people with Alzheimer's disease.