A three-minute brainwave test can spot Alzheimer’s-linked memory problems long before diagnosis, and has now been shown to work in patients’ homes.
The Fastball EEG test records electrical activity in the brain while participants view images.
It identifies memory impairment in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a condition that can lead to Alzheimer’s.
Unlike traditional memory checks, the passive test tracks the brain’s automatic responses without requiring participants to follow instructions or recall information, making it a more objective tool.
Researchers from the University of Bath and University of Bristol showed for the first time that the technology can be used reliably in home settings, opening the way for wider use with low-cost, accessible equipment.
Dr George Stothart, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Bath who led the study, said current diagnostic methods miss crucial early stages.
“We’re missing the first 10 to 20 years of Alzheimer’s with current diagnostic tools. Fastball offers a way to change that – detecting memory decline far earlier and more objectively, using a quick and passive test.”
The test revealed reduced memory responses in MCI patients who later developed dementia, suggesting it can identify those at greatest risk.
With new drugs donanemab and lecanemab proving most effective in early-stage disease, early detection is becoming increasingly important.
In England, an estimated one in three people with dementia do not have a formal diagnosis, delaying treatment and support.
Fastball was first trialled in 2021, when it showed sensitivity to memory impairment in people with Alzheimer’s.
The latest study confirms it can detect changes much earlier in disease progression.
EEG technology uses small sensors on the scalp to measure the brain’s electrical activity. MCI involves problems with memory, thinking or language that are not severe enough to stop daily activities but increase the risk of dementia.
Dr Stothart said: “There’s an urgent need for accurate, practical tools to diagnose Alzheimer’s at scale. Fastball is cheap, portable, and works in real-world settings.
The research was funded by the Academy of Medical Sciences and supported by dementia research charity BRACE.
Chris Williams, CEO of BRACE Dementia Research, said: “Fastball is an incredible tool that could offer anyone who, for whatever reason, cannot access a dementia diagnosis in a clinical setting.
“BRACE has been supporting the development of Fastball for several years, and we are excited to see what Dr Stothart’s team will achieve over the next few years with ongoing support from the charity.”