A new way to check for Alzheimer’s disease from the comfort of your own home has been developed by researchers. By combining a simple finger-prick blood test with a quick online brain assessment, experts can now better understand a person’s risk of developing the condition.
The study, published in Nature Communications, saw 174 people successfully complete the tests at home before posting their samples back to the team. The blood test looks for specific markers linked to brain decline, while the online tasks measure how well the mind is functioning.
This breakthrough could help the NHS prioritise people for further testing and ensure they get the right support and treatment much sooner. While dementia is a difficult topic for many families, understanding the risk factors can empower people to make choices that protect their long-term health.
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Following the publication of the study, Camilla Foster spoke to Dr Richard Oakley from the Alzheimer’s Society, who outlined key dementia risk factors everyone should be aware of and highlighted which lifestyle changes can help.
Age: “Age is one of the biggest risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s because the chance of developing dementia increases as we age.” Natural changes in our bodies over time play a significant role in why this happens.
“One thing that we know leads to dementia is the build-up of certain proteins, such as amyloid and tau, in our brains. Over time, they aggregate together into these insoluble masses and start causing damage in our brains,” said Oakley.
Gender: Statistics also show that women are more likely than men to develop the condition as they grow older. The data shows us that women are more likely to get Alzheimer’s disease as they get older than men.”
Researchers are currently looking into whether hormones and the menopause play a role in this difference. Oakley said: “There are different theories around hormones and menopause that are being investigated, and lots of research is trying to work out exactly why this is so we can hopefully make changes to stop this.”
Genetics: Family history and genetics also play a role, though only a very small number of cases are directly inherited. “There are genetic risk factors and certain mutations that people can have that can be passed down through families that can make you more predisposed to developing different forms of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease.”
Specific genes can increase the likelihood of the condition, but they do not guarantee that a person will develop it. “If you get two copies of the APOE4 gene, a copy from your mum and another one from your dad, that significantly increases your chances of Alzheimer’s. However, it’s important to emphasise that the APOE gene only increases a person’s chances of getting dementia and doesn’t cause the condition in everyone who has it,” said Oakley.
Health conditions: General health conditions that affect blood flow, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, are also linked to brain health. “One of the things that we know with Alzheimer’s disease is that it can become vascular, which happens when the damage in your brain is not only caused by certain proteins, but is also caused by a restriction of blood flow in and out of your brain.
“Therefore, things like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and conditions that affect your blood flow and metabolism such as diabetes, strokes and cardiovascular disease can all increase your risk of Alzheimer’s,” said Oakley.
The good news is that nearly half of all dementia cases are linked to lifestyle factors that we actually have the power to change. “The 2024 Lancet Commission report on dementia prevention, intervention, and care showed that about 45% of all dementia cases are based on modifiable risk factors, rather than things like ageing and genes that we can’t change.”
The report found that addressing the following 14 health and lifestyle factors could prevent nearly half of global dementia cases:
- Quality of education in early life (5%)
- Social isolation (5%)
- Air pollution (3%)
- Traumatic brain injury (3%)
- Hearing loss (7%)
- Depression (3%)
- High blood pressure (2%)
- Type 2 diabetes (2%)
- Obesity (1%)
- Physical inactivity (2%)
- Smoking (2%)
- Excessive alcohol consumption (1%)
- Uncorrected vision loss (2%)
- High cholesterol (7%)
Simple steps like eating a balanced diet, staying active, and quitting smoking can make a world of difference to our future. “You can reduce your individual risk by doing things like quitting smoking, drinking alcohol only in moderation, having a healthy balanced diet, keeping a healthy weight and staying active,” said Oakley.
Health experts often remind us that what is good for the heart is almost always good for the head. “We often say what’s good for your heart is good for your head, so controlling your cholesterol and monitoring your blood pressure can make a big difference,” said Oakley.
Staying social and keeping up with friends is another vital way to keep the brain healthy and happy. “I would encourage people to carry on picking up hobbies and engaging with people.”
Checking in on older neighbours and loved ones to help them stay active in the community can also provide a protective boost. Oakley said: “We also need to look out for our older loved ones and support them where we can to engage in hobbies and social interactions, because it does play a really important role, not only in general enjoyment, but also in reducing their risk of developing dementia.”
