A joint research team from the University of Bath and the University of Bristol in the UK has developed a rapid brainwave detection technology called Fastball EEG, which can identify signs of memory impairment associated with Alzheimer's disease years before clinical diagnosis. The research results have been published in the academic journal Brain Communications.
The Fastball EEG test records brain activity while participants view a sequence of images and completes a passive assessment in just three minutes. The study shows that the technology can reliably identify memory problems in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which may progress to Alzheimer's disease. The research is the first to confirm that the test can be performed in a home environment, providing a new solution for large-scale screening and disease monitoring.
With the advancement of Alzheimer's disease treatments such as donanemab, the importance of early diagnosis is becoming increasingly prominent. Dr. George Stothart, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Bath, said: "Existing diagnostic tools miss the first 10 to 20 years of symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Fastball provides a new way to detect memory decline earlier and more objectively through a quick passive test."
The technology uses a passive electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring mode that does not require participants to follow instructions or actively recall information. It achieves assessment by capturing the brain's automatic response to images. The study shows that patients who later develop dementia also exhibit reduced memory response. Chris Williams, CEO of the BRACE Dementia Research Centre, believes: "This technology can provide effective help for people who cannot obtain a diagnosis in a clinical setting."
The researchers noted that the Fastball EEG system has the advantages of low cost and strong portability, making it suitable for general practice clinics, memory clinics, and home settings. It is expected to improve the efficiency of early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
