A new study from Singapore, published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, shows that a simple blood test could help detect Alzheimer’s disease earlier and more accurately.

The test, done with an Asian cohort, looks at a substance in the blood called p-tau217, which is linked to the buildup of amyloid in the brain — a key sign of Alzheimer’s. The study involved 215 people, many of whom also had other brain-related health issues that can make diagnosing Alzheimer’s more difficult.

Researchers found that this blood test worked better than regular check-ups and other blood markers in spotting signs of Alzheimer’s. They created a system that grouped people into low, medium or high risk based on their p-tau217 levels.

People in the high-risk group not only had more signs of Alzheimer’s but also experienced faster memory and thinking decline. This means the test might not just help with diagnosis — it could also help predict how quickly someone might get worse.

One big advantage? This method could greatly reduce the need for expensive brain scans. Only one in 10 people tested would still need a scan, compared with four to six out of 10 using current methods.

The researchers say more studies are needed in different populations, but the results are promising for improving how we find and manage Alzheimer’s disease around the world.

More like this: How often you breathe could help detect Alzheimer’s