Todd Levine, MD
Submitted photo/Bruce Racine
By Todd Levine, MD | HonorHealth Neurology
If you’ve ever watched a loved one slowly lose their memory, their sense of self, their ability to recognize family or hold a conversation — you know how devastating Alzheimer’s disease can be. It’s something we neurologists have been fighting for decades. And while we’ve made progress, one of the biggest hurdles has always been early detection.
But that may finally be changing.
I’m excited — and honestly, a little emotional — to share that recent research is confirming something many of us in the field have hoped for: A simple blood test can now help predict who is at higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease, years before any symptoms like memory loss or confusion begin.
Let me say that again. With just a blood sample, we may soon be able to identify people who are at higher risk to develop Alzheimer’s long before they actually do.
This is a game-changer.
The shift from diagnosis to prediction
For a long time, diagnosing Alzheimer’s meant waiting until symptoms appeared — and by then, significant damage to the brain had often already occurred. Imaging tests like MRIs or PET scans helped, but they’re expensive, not always accessible and still couldn’t catch the disease in its earliest stages.
Now, research is showing that specific proteins in the blood — especially one called p-Tau217 — can act as biomarkers for Alzheimer’s. In layman's terms, these are tiny chemical clues that tell us what’s going on inside the brain, even if everything seems fine on the outside.
Think of it like a smoke detector for your brain. You may not see flames yet, but the alarm lets us know something is starting to smolder.
In some cases, these blood tests have been able to detect signs of Alzheimer’s up to 15 to 20 years before someone would normally be diagnosed. That’s time we can use to act.
What this means for you — and for the future
I know what you might be thinking: “If I don’t have symptoms, why would I want to know?”
That’s a fair question. And the answer depends on each individual’s values, goals, and circumstances. But here’s what I tell my patients: Information is power.
Knowing you’re at risk doesn’t mean you’re doomed — it means you have a head start. It means we can talk about proven ways to reduce your risk: staying physically active, keeping your heart healthy, eating a brain-friendly diet, staying socially engaged and keeping your mind sharp.
And maybe even more exciting, it means you could be eligible for clinical trials or future treatments aimed at stopping Alzheimer’s before it starts.
I often compare it to heart disease. If your cholesterol is high, we don’t wait for a heart attack to act — we start you on a plan to protect your heart. This is that same philosophy, applied to the brain.
Who should consider getting tested?
These blood tests aren’t yet part of routine checkups, but they’re quickly moving in that direction. Right now, they’re most commonly used in research settings, but more clinics — like ours at HonorHealth Neurology — are starting to offer them, especially for people with a family history of Alzheimer’s or those concerned about cognitive health.
If you have a parent or sibling who had Alzheimer’s, or if you’ve noticed subtle changes in your memory, I’d encourage you to have a conversation with your doctor. You may not need a test right away, but just starting the dialogue is a great first step.
We’re entering a new era of Alzheimer’s care — one focused on prevention, early detection and hope.
A message of encouragement
This isn’t about fear. It’s about possibility.
I became a neurologist because I wanted to help people preserve what makes them themselves — their thoughts, their personality, their memories, their voice. For the first time, we have a tool that can help us do that earlier and more effectively than ever before.
Of course, no test is perfect. And no test can predict the future with 100% accuracy. But the science is strong and getting stronger. The more we learn, the better we can care for our patients — not just when they’re sick, but when they’re still well.
To me, that’s the ultimate goal.
So if you’re worried about your memory, or if you just want to be proactive about brain health, don’t wait. Talk to your doctor. Ask questions. Take action. The earlier we start, the more we can do together.
Let’s shift the conversation from “How do we treat Alzheimer’s?” to “How do we stop it before it starts?”
Because now — for the first time in a long time — we just might have an answer.
Editors note: Todd Levine, MD, is director of neuroscience research at the HonorHealth Research Institute in Scottsdale. He is former chairman of the American Academy of Neurology’s Neuromuscular Division and has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed publications and clinical trials. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
