New digital test detects cognitive impairment with 85–90% accuracy.
A new 11-minute digital test detects cognitive impairment with high accuracy, offering hope for earlier Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Why it matters
- Early detection of cognitive impairment can lead to better planning and care.
- Current methods have high rates of misdiagnosis, especially in primary care.
By the numbers
- The test has an accuracy of 85–90% in detecting cognitive impairment.
- When paired with a blood test, accuracy for Alzheimer’s diagnosis rises to 90%.
- Study involved 403 participants in primary care.
The big picture
- The test is self-administered and can be done remotely, making it practical for primary care settings.
- Combining digital tests with blood tests could revolutionize early detection of Alzheimer’s.
What they're saying
- Primary care doctors often miss early cognitive decline due to impractical tests.
- Earlier diagnosis can lead to better planning and care for patients.
- Some users are requesting more details on specificity and sensitivity, not just accuracy.
Caveats
- The study is a proof-of-concept and needs further validation.
- The accuracy numbers are promising but need to be confirmed in larger studies.
What’s next
- Further studies to validate the test in larger and more diverse populations.
- Potential integration into primary care settings for routine screening.