A new survey led by Northwestern University psychologist Andrea Russell found that most older adults would be willing to take a blood test to assess their risk for Alzheimer's disease, according to an April 15 announcement. The study, which will be published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, surveyed nearly 600 primary care patients with an average age of 62.
The findings are significant as they highlight the potential acceptance of less invasive and possibly more accessible testing options among a population at risk for Alzheimer’s. Early detection can help patients plan ahead, connect with resources, and participate in clinical trials while researchers search for better treatments.
According to the survey results, only about 2% of respondents had previously completed an Alzheimer’s blood test and 84% were unfamiliar with them. However, after receiving a brief explanation about how these tests work—detecting amyloid or tau proteins linked to Alzheimer’s—85% said they would take one if recommended by their doctor. Russell said, "These tests aren't ready for widespread use, but they soon could be." She added that understanding patient perspectives is crucial: "As researchers, we strive for care that centers on the needs of the patient first, so it's important for us to know what they think about those tests."
The most common reasons participants gave for accepting such a test included informing medical care (94%), insurance coverage (93%), comprehensive education beforehand (88%), and ease or convenience (88%). Barriers cited included cost (49%), concerns over reliability (35%), fear of positive results (22%), and worry about being treated differently after a positive result (24%). Nearly three-quarters anticipated emotional distress from a positive result; however, around 87% indicated they would likely make efforts to improve brain health if faced with increased risk.
Russell noted her experiences working with patients who experience early cognitive changes alongside chronic conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular disease. She said many live in uncertainty or fear due to stigma around dementia: "I see patients whose lives start to get smaller... Some are afraid to leave the house because they worry they'll forget something or get lost." She also highlighted dissatisfaction among patients and families regarding delays in diagnosis and uncertainty over symptoms’ causes.
Blood-based biomarker tests measure proteins associated with amyloid plaques—a hallmark sign of Alzheimer’s—and have shown accuracy comparable or superior to current gold-standard methods like PET scans or spinal fluid analysis. Still, Russell cautioned that results are not always definitive: having amyloid plaques does not guarantee progression toward dementia since individual outcomes vary widely. Researchers continue refining these biomarker tools and studying how best to integrate them into primary care.
