New Brainwave Test Detects Early Alzheimer's in Three Minutes
amsterdam, woensdag, 3 september 2025.
An innovative brainwave test called Fastball EEG can detect early signs of Alzheimer’s within three minutes, years before the disease is diagnosed. This test records electrical activity in the brain while viewing images and can be performed in homes, by general practitioners, and in memory clinics. The test offers new possibilities for early intervention and treatment, which is crucial for the effectiveness of new Alzheimer’s medications such as donanemab and lecanemab.
New Brainwave Test Detects Early Alzheimer’s in Three Minutes
An innovative brainwave test called Fastball EEG can detect early signs of Alzheimer’s within three minutes, years before the disease is diagnosed. This test records electrical activity in the brain while viewing images and can be performed in homes, by general practitioners, and in memory clinics. The test offers new possibilities for early intervention and treatment, which is crucial for the effectiveness of new Alzheimer’s medications such as donanemab and lecanemab [1][2][3][4][5].
How Does Fastball EEG Work?
Fastball EEG is a passive brainwave test that measures electrical activity in the brain while the participant views a stream of images. The test lasts only three minutes and requires no active participation from the participant. Researchers have shown that Fastball EEG yields reliable results in real-world home settings, making it a practical tool for broader screening and monitoring [1][2][3][4][5].
Results and Impact
In a study published in the journal Brain Communications, 53 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 54 healthy older adults were tested. The results showed that patients with MCI had significantly reduced memory-related brain responses compared to healthy older adults. These findings suggest that Fastball EEG can detect early signs of Alzheimer’s, which is crucial for the effectiveness of new medications such as donanemab and lecanemab [1][2][3][4][5].
Future Perspectives
Despite the promising results, large-scale clinical validation studies are still needed to confirm the accuracy of Fastball EEG. Two studies, each involving 1,000 patients, are currently being conducted in the United Kingdom and the United States. These studies will be completed in 2027 and should provide more insight into the effectiveness of the test in a larger dataset [1][2][3][4][5].
Expert Reactions
Dr. George Stothart, a cognitive neurologist at the University of Bath, emphasises the urgent need for accurate and practical tools for diagnosing Alzheimer’s on a large scale. According to him, Fastball EEG is inexpensive, portable, and suitable for use in real-world settings. Chris Williams, CEO of BRACE Dementia Research, calls Fastball EEG an incredible tool that can help people who, for whatever reason, cannot receive a dementia diagnosis in a clinical setting [1][2][3][4][5].
Conclusions and Future Plans
Fastball EEG offers a promising method for detecting early signs of Alzheimer’s, which is crucial for early intervention and treatment. Although more research is needed, this test provides new opportunities for broader screening and monitoring, allowing patients to be detected earlier and more accurately. The development of Fastball EEG is supported by the Academy of Medical Sciences and BRACE Dementia Research, with the hope that it will be available to patients within five years [1][2][3][4][5].