Last week, you might recall that I talked about some exciting new developments in Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
While these advancements offer hope for those already experiencing symptoms, there’s a concerning trend we need to address.
The hype around preventative Alzheimer’s testing for people without symptoms is raising red flags in the medical community—and for good reason.
The Promise and Peril of Early Testing
Let me be abundantly clear: for individuals already showing signs of cognitive decline, these new diagnostic criteria could be a game-changer.
They offer the potential for earlier, more accurate diagnoses and more personalized treatment plans. That’s fantastic news for patients and their families who are desperately seeking answers and support.
But here’s where things get murky.
There’s a growing push for widespread preventative testing, even for people without any symptoms. And that’s where I, along with many of my colleagues, have serious concerns.
The Risks of Unnecessary Testing
Dr. Eric Widera, a geriatrician at the University of California, San Francisco, puts it bluntly: “This is jumping the gun by at least five to 10 years.”
He’s right to be cautious. Here’s why:
False Positives: Many people who test positive for amyloid (one of the biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s) may never develop the disease. A 2015 Dutch study estimated that over 10 percent of cognitively normal 50-year-olds would test positive, as would almost 16 percent of 60-year-olds and 23 percent of 70-year-olds. Most of these individuals would never develop dementia.
Psychological Impact: Imagine being told you have Alzheimer’s disease when you’re feeling perfectly fine! The anxiety and stress could be devastating, potentially impacting your quality of life far more than the disease itself (which you may never develop).
Discrimination Risks: An Alzheimer’s diagnosis, even if it’s just based on biomarkers, could lead to discrimination in employment and insurance.
Questionable Treatments: There’s a risk that people who test positive might be prescribed drugs that are not only expensive but potentially dangerous—with no evidence that they’re effective in asymptomatic individuals.
The Conflict of Interest Conundrum
Here’s something that really gets my blood boiling: many of the experts pushing for these new diagnostic criteria have significant ties to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
About a third of the Alzheimer’s Association working group members are employed by companies developing Alzheimer’s drugs and diagnostics. Another third disclose research grants, consulting fees, or other payments from industry sources.
As I’ve said before, simply disclosing these conflicts doesn’t make them disappear. It doesn’t relieve researchers of the responsibility to remain objective. We need to be extremely cautious about recommendations that could directly benefit those making them.
The Bottom Line
Don’t get me wrong—I’m all for scientific progress.
But we need to be careful not to let the excitement of new discoveries cloud our judgment. Here’s what I want you to remember:
- If you’re experiencing cognitive symptoms, talk to your doctor. These new diagnostic tools could be incredibly helpful for you.
- If you’re not experiencing symptoms, think very carefully before seeking preventative testing. The risks may outweigh the benefits.
- Be wary of any push for widespread testing or treatment in asymptomatic individuals. We simply don’t have the evidence to support it yet.
- Remember, a healthy lifestyle—including a good diet, regular exercise, and mental stimulation—is still your best bet for maintaining cognitive health as you age.
We’re making progress in understanding and diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease, but we must move forward responsibly. Your health—both physical and menta—is too important to gamble with.
In case you missed it, here’s what else we’ve been chatting about this week in e-Tips:
- The Fat-Burning Secret Your Body’s Been Hiding
- Tiny Cell, Big Impact: T Cell Discovery Could Change Everything
- Could a Houseplant SAVE Your Heart?
- How Ultra-Processed Foods Are Stealing YEARS from Your Life
- Could Your GUT Hold Key to Solving Type 2 Diabetes?
- The Ancient Art That’s Helping Parkinson’s Patients
P.S. Interested in learning more about how to restore senior memory, reverse the effects of age-related memory loss, and lower the risk for Alzheimer’s and dementia? Click here to learn about my Brain Rescue Protocol.
Sources:
- Span, P. (2024, March 4). Apparently Healthy, but Diagnosed With Alzheimer’s? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/04/health/alzheimers-amyloid-diagnosis.html?unlocked_article_code=1.6E0.mvUv.gpOh3tI_BP5S&smid=url-share
- Widera, E. (2024). Who gets to decide on what it means to have Alzheimer’s disease? Escholarship.org. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.18793
- Jack Jr., C.R., et al. (2024). Revised Criteria for Diagnosis and Staging of Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer’s & Dementia. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.12345