How women can foresee dementia risk 25 years before symptoms show

Health & Fitness
11 Mar 2026 • 12:34 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • A pioneering blood test has been found to predict a woman's risk of developing dementia up to 25 years before symptoms manifest.
  • US experts discovered that elevated levels of p-tau217, a protein associated with Alzheimer's disease, accurately forecast future cognitive decline.
  • The study, conducted by the University of California San Diego, analysed data from 2,766 women aged 65 to 79 over a 25-year period.
  • Researchers observed that women with higher initial p-tau217 levels were significantly more likely to develop dementia later in life.
  • British researchers welcomed the findings, emphasising the rapid advancements in developing early Alzheimer's detection blood tests for potential future use.

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