Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Researchers examined the relationship between Alzheimer’s-related proteins in the blood and cognitive function among adults in their 50s and 60s. The study analyzed data from 1,350 participants in the NIH-funded CARDIA study, who provided blood samples and underwent cognitive testing between 2020 and 2022. None of the participants had been diagnosed with dementia at the time of the exams.
The team measured levels of amyloid-beta and tau proteins in blood, biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s disease in the brain. Between 4% and 15% of participants had biomarker levels suggestive of amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles in the brain.
Participants with high Alzheimer’s protein levels performed worse on cognitive tests measuring processing speed and executive function. These individuals also experienced greater declines in processing speed over the preceding five years compared to those with lower biomarker levels.
The findings suggest that blood tests measuring Alzheimer’s proteins may help identify people in midlife at higher risk of cognitive decline. Such tests could facilitate early efforts to delay or prevent symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.