Blood test detects early-onset Alzheimer's as early as 24 years old

Although Alzheimer's disease is considered an illness of old age, a new study shows blood biomarkers can identify the risk for early-onset Alzheimer's, which develops before the age of 65, as early as age 24.

Early detection and prevention remain crucial in managing early-onset Alzheimer's. With modern research and new technologies, doctors can now identify warning signs years, even decades, before symptoms appear.  Younger adults, especially those with a family history, may already be vulnerable.

Early-Onset Alzheimer's Global Burden

The global burden of Alzheimer's is rising. Millions of people are currently living with the disease, and while the risk does climb with age, early-onset cases account for a growing proportion of diagnoses. This form of the condition is particularly devastating. It can cut short careers, disrupt family life, and place enormous strain on healthcare systems.

One large-scale study analysed data from 1990 to 2021 and found that dementia among younger people is rising worldwide, though patterns vary by country. China is experiencing the fastest growth and most new diagnoses, Canada has the highest number of people living with it, Afghanistan faces the highest death rates, and Brazil shows the greatest impact on quality of life.

Over recent decades, researchers have emphasized that Alzheimer's should not be dismissed as a distant threat. Instead, it must be addressed through proactive healthcare. Detecting risk early in life offers opportunities for interventions that could slow or even prevent decline, lessening the toll on individuals, families, and societies.

Early Signals

Scientific studies are now helping to map out what early warning signs look like. Data from a large U.S. study revealed that well-known risk factors for Alzheimer's include blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity, and genetic predisposition. The research followed participants from adolescence into adulthood and found that those risks were already associated with differences in cognitive performance among adults aged 24 to 44.

Biomarkers found in blood, such as Tau proteins and inflammatory signals, were linked to poorer memory and attention, suggesting that the biological foundations of Alzheimer's are laid much earlier than once believed.

Another line of research has identified loss of smell as a potential early symptom, reflecting subtle brain changes that occur long before memory loss begins. These findings illustrate that Alzheimer's can be recognized in its earliest stages. The shift in focus from late-stage symptoms to early recognition marks an important turning point in how medicine approaches this disease.

New Pathways for Diagnosis

Scientific advances are now translating into clinical tools. BGI Genomics has recently launched a suite of six novel Alzheimer's disease blood test reagents in China.

These reagents are designed to detect the most important biomarkers linked to the disease, including p-tau 217, p-tau 181, Aβ1-42, Aβ1-40, neurofilament light chain, and glial fibrillary acidic protein. These markers in blood exist at very low concentrations, but the new assays have demonstrated the sensitivity to measure them at levels as low as 0.5 pg/mL.

The internal research data found that the tests are able to distinguish between similar molecules, such as differentiating p-tau 181 from p-tau 217, ensuring results that are both accurate and clinically reliable. The diagnostic power of the p-tau 217 assay, which has shown a 95% diagnosis sensitivity, effectively reflects the patient’s true disease state.

The new blood test reagents are part of a broader vision for comprehensive Alzheimer's management. BGI Genomics has built a portfolio that also includes BGI Genomics Alzheimer's Disease Risk Genetic Testing (APOE Genotyping Testing) for APOE risk variants, creating a system that supports everything from early screening and diagnosis to guidance on treatment.

Alzheimer's remains one of the most pressing health challenges of our time. The disease does not wait for old age. Its earliest signals may be present in people still building their futures, raising families, and living full lives.

Early detection is the first and most powerful step in that journey. On this Alzheimer's Day, the call to action is not only to raise awareness but to change how we think about the disease itself.

By taking advantage of advances in blood-based biomarker testing and genomic tools, healthcare providers can now identify risks early, offer proactive care, and give patients and families time to prepare.

About Alzheimer's Disease Risk Genetic Testing (APOE Genotyping Testing)

BGI Genomics' APOE Genotyping Testing uses MALDI-TOF MS technology to analyze two APOE gene loci, rs429358 and rs7412, aiding clinicians in evaluating the likelihood and progression of Alzheimer's disease. The test can provide results that guide doctors and patients in making appropriate lifestyle changes.

About BGI Genomics

BGI Genomics, headquartered in Shenzhen, China, is the world's leading integrated solutions provider of precision medicine. Our services cover more than 100 countries and regions, involving more than 2,300 medical institutions. In July 2017, as a subsidiary of BGI Group, BGI Genomics (300676.SZ) was officially listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.