Researchers at the University of Bath have developed a quick and simple brainwave test that may help detect memory problems linked to Alzheimer’s disease years before traditional methods can.
The test is called Fastball EEG, and it takes just three minutes to complete.
The study, published in the journal Brain Communications, shows that Fastball can find early signs of memory trouble in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), a condition that often leads to Alzheimer’s. This builds on a 2021 study where the same team showed that Fastball could spot memory problems in people already diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
What makes this test especially exciting is that it can be done at home. Until now, tests for Alzheimer’s have required a clinic visit and complicated procedures. But Fastball uses low-cost technology to record brain activity while the person looks at a series of images on a screen.
It doesn’t require the person to follow instructions or try to remember anything. This makes the test easy for anyone to take, even those who already have trouble with memory.
Dr. George Stothart, who led the study, says the goal is to catch Alzheimer’s much earlier than we do now. Current methods often miss the first 10 to 20 years of the disease. But Fastball offers a chance to find memory decline earlier and more accurately.
This is important because new Alzheimer’s drugs like donanemab and lecanemab work best when used in the early stages of the disease. In England, about one in three people with dementia don’t have a diagnosis, which delays treatment and support. Early detection could give patients a better chance at slowing the disease’s progress.
The researchers tested Fastball on people with MCI and found that it accurately detected early memory issues, even in people who later went on to develop dementia. It also worked just as well when used in people’s homes, not just in a lab or hospital.
Fastball measures how the brain automatically reacts to images, using a simple cap with sensors to record brainwaves. Because the test doesn’t require any effort from the person taking it, it’s more reliable and objective than traditional memory tests that rely on asking questions.
Dr. Stothart believes Fastball could be used in places like doctor’s offices, memory clinics, or even at home. He 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 supported by the Academy of Medical Sciences and a dementia charity called BRACE. Chris Williams, the CEO of BRACE, said that Fastball could help people who can’t easily access a dementia diagnosis in a clinic. BRACE has supported the project for several years and looks forward to helping expand it further.
This promising new tool could change the way we detect Alzheimer’s, giving people a better chance of receiving treatment early and improving their quality of life.
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The study is published in Radiology.
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