- Researchers say a new test known as “Fastball” may help diagnosis Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia earlier.
- They say the EEG test measures brain waves when a person recognizes an image as opposed to the current exams that gauge only memory.
- Experts say such an EEG test could help with earlier treatment of Alzheimer’s as well as research into the causes of the disease.
Researchers say they may have crafted a simple early detection test that could be game changing when it comes to diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
The new Fastball EEG test was officially unveiled this week by a team from the universities of Bath and Bristol in the United Kingdom.
A study on the effectiveness of the test was presented today at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Amsterdam.
“Fastball” is a passive and non-invasive test measuring a person’s brain waves while they watch a series of flashing images on a screen.
Users wear an electroencephalogram (EEG) headset, linked to a computer for analysis.
The researchers, led by Dr. George Stothart from the University of Bath in England and Dr. Liz Coulthard from the University of Bristol in England, said in a press release that the “Fastball” test is highly effective at detecting small, subtle changes in brain waves that occur when a person remembers an image.
They said their test shows this response changes as a person develops dementia and Alzheimer’s.
The researchers said they hope their findings can lead to breakthroughs for earlier diagnosis of the disease.
The team said dementia is typically diagnosed too late, when the brain is damaged beyond repair. It currently can take up to 20 years to diagnose the condition after it starts to develop.
Current diagnosis relies on subjective questions to test a person’s memory. Scientists say it’s limited and can be affected by the subject’s education, language skills, or even nervousness.
Researchers say the Fastball test is…
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