Researchers from the University of Bath have developed a quick and easy brainwave test that can spot signs of memory problems linked to Alzheimer’s disease—years before a diagnosis is usually made.
This test, called Fastball EEG, takes just three minutes and uses sensors to measure brain activity while a person looks at pictures.
It has shown great promise in identifying memory issues in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), a condition that can develop into Alzheimer’s disease.
The findings were published in the journal Brain Communications and are part of a study led by scientists at the University of Bath and the University of Bristol.
Importantly, this is the first time researchers have shown that the test works well even when used at home. This makes it possible for more people to be tested early, without needing to visit a hospital or clinic.
Fastball EEG is different from traditional memory tests because it doesn’t ask people to answer questions or remember words.
Instead, it records the brain’s automatic responses to a stream of images, making it a passive and more objective test. This also makes the test easier for people who might find it hard to follow instructions or who feel nervous in clinical settings.
Dr. George Stothart, who led the study, said that the tools we currently use to detect Alzheimer’s are missing the first 10 to 20 years of the disease. He believes Fastball could help fix this by detecting memory decline much earlier.
The sooner Alzheimer’s is detected, the better, especially now that there are new drugs like donanemab and lecanemab that work best in the early stages of the disease.
In England, one in three people with dementia do not have a formal diagnosis. This delay can stop people from getting treatment, support, and the chance to join clinical trials. Fastball could help by making it easier and cheaper to screen people for memory problems.
The study showed that Fastball could detect early memory problems in people with MCI, including those who later went on to develop dementia. It worked reliably even when used in real-world home settings. This means the test could be used in many places—at home, at a local doctor’s office, or in a memory clinic.
Dr. Stothart said that we urgently need better tools to diagnose Alzheimer’s, especially ones that are easy to use and can work at scale. Fastball is not only low-cost and portable, but it also delivers results quickly and without stress for the person taking the test.
The research was funded by the Academy of Medical Sciences and supported by the dementia charity BRACE. Chris Williams, CEO of BRACE, said Fastball is an amazing tool that could help people who can’t get a dementia diagnosis in traditional medical settings.
He added that BRACE has supported the development of Fastball for years and is excited to see how it could change lives in the future.
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