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Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. Protein build-up in the brain damages nerve cells, so memory and thinking gradually decline over many years.

Alzheimer's disease at a glance

Early detection with a blood testPromising, not yet a routine testModerate
Early signReduced sense of smell, before memory problemsModerate
Lower the riskPartly, through lifestyleModerate
CureNot yet
35 studies6 answersupdated Oct 2026
Evidence per claim
Loss of smell appears early, well before memory problems
View evidence →
Moderate
A p-tau217 blood test picks up early signs, but is not yet a routine test
View evidence →
Moderate
An MRS scan (magnetic resonance spectroscopy) detects early changes, but is not ready for diagnosis
View evidence →
Moderate
Oral bacteria are linked to Alzheimer's; a causal link has not been shown
View evidence →
Moderate
Lifestyle lowers the risk of dementia
View evidence →
Moderate
Practical use

For whom

People with memory problems or Alzheimer's in the family who want to know what is possible.

Not for whom

A one-off test when you have no symptoms says little: the new tests have not been validated for the general population.

In practice

Discuss memory concerns with your doctor. Lower your risk by exercising, keeping blood pressure and blood sugar healthy, and not smoking.

Key caveats

No test or measure gives certainty. Good oral hygiene is sensible, but has not been shown to protect against Alzheimer's.

What we know, and don't

Known

Alzheimer's begins years before symptoms
Loss of smell is an early signal
Lifestyle influences the risk

Not yet

Whether the new blood tests are reliable across the whole population
Whether oral bacteria cause Alzheimer's
How to cure Alzheimer's
Common misconceptions
"A blood test tells you whether you will get Alzheimer's."
Not yet proven. The p-tau217 test is promising, but not yet a validated routine test.Moderate evidence
"Brushing your teeth well protects against Alzheimer's."
Not shown. There is a link with oral bacteria, but protection has not been shown.Moderate evidence
Latest news on Alzheimer's disease
Gut bacteria linked to Alzheimer’s risk5 OctAPOE2 gene shields the brain’s blood vessels5 OctAlzheimer gene APOE4 damages brain blood vessels4 OctImmune cells outside the brain drive Alzheimer’s damage2 OctBrain peptide cuts tau damage in Alzheimer mouse models30 Sep
Heard on podcasts

What popular health podcasts claimed about Alzheimer's disease, checked against the research.

Thomas DeLauer · David PerlmutterPartly
“Living near a busy motorway and exposure to PM2.5 fine particulate matter increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease.”
What the research says →
Thomas DeLauer · David PerlmutterPartly
“A lifestyle intervention consisting of diet, exercise and stress reduction stabilised or improved cognition in 70% of the Alzheimer's patients studied.”
What the research says →
Dave Asprey · Josh DuhamelPartly
“Low doses of GLP-1 agonists promote a longer lifespan and may protect against Alzheimer's disease.”
What the research says →
Alzheimer's disease: what's new, and what holds up

We follow the latest research on Alzheimer's disease and listen to leading health podcasts, and we check what they claim. You'll get one email on Thursdays with what matters, and only when there's something new.

You can add more topics later, such as exercise or sleep.

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