Can a Blood Test Predict Alzheimer's?

Can a Blood Test Predict Alzheimer's?

Author: Josh Turknett, MD April 14, 2026 Duration: 28:31

A recent study published in Nature Medicine claims a blood test can predict when you'll develop Alzheimer's disease, and it got a lot of attention. But how well does it actually work, and should you rush out and get tested?

In this episode, we break down the study behind the headlines to understand what it really shows, where the major limitations lie, and what it means for anyone thinking about getting this kind of test.

Topics and Questions Covered

  • What P-Tau 217 is and why it's become the leading blood-based biomarker in Alzheimer's research.

  • How researchers built a predictive "clock" from blood test data and what that process required.

  • The important distinction between having pathology in your brain and actually developing dementia.

  • Who should and should not be getting tested.

  • What a large Norwegian population study reveals about the overlap between pathology and normal cognitive function.

  • How biomarkers like this might eventually fit into a broader, more personalized approach to prevention.

  • and more!

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To submit a question for us to answer on the podcast, go to brainjo.academy/question.

To subscribe to the free Better Brain Fitness newsletter, join us when we record live, and get our Guide and Checklist to essential blood tests and nutrients, go to: betterbrain.fitness.

To learn more about how you can boost brain fitness with neuroscience-based musical instruction, head to brainjo.academy

Intro and Outro music composed and produced by Julienne Ellen


What does it really mean to have a fit brain, and how do we actually achieve it? That’s the central question explored in Better Brain Fitness (a Brainjo Production), a conversation guided by neurologist Dr. Josh Turknett and neuroscientist Dr. Tommy Wood. Moving beyond generic advice, each episode digs into the practical, often surprising science of cognitive longevity. You’ll hear discussions that translate complex research into actionable strategies, covering everything from nutrition and sleep to movement and mental challenge. The aim isn’t just about preventing decline, but actively building a resilient, high-performing mind that supports your passions and daily life. This podcast operates on the principle that our brain’s health is malleable at any age, and that understanding the underlying mechanisms empowers us to make better choices. Tune in for a nuanced look at how lifestyle intersects with neurology, stripping away the hype to focus on what evidence suggests truly works. It’s a resource for anyone curious about taking a proactive, informed role in their own cognitive well-being, ensuring the brain remains a robust partner for all the years ahead.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Better Brain Fitness (a Brainjo Production)
Podcast Episodes
44: Can "The Little Blue Pill" Help Prevent Alzheimer's? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:40
Click here to read the primary paper discussed in this episode ("Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors in Men With Erectile Dysfunction and the Risk of Alzheimer Disease") To submit a question for us to answer on the podca…
43: Do cold sores cause Alzheimer's? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:51
What's the research say on the link between cold sores and Alzheimer's? And for those who get cold sores, is there anything that should be done to minimize the risk? To submit a question for us to answer on the podcast,…
42: What blood tests should you monitor for brain health? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:53
Click here subscribe to the newsletter and get the Blood Tests and Nutrients for Brain Health guide and checklist sent directly to you. To submit a question for us to answer on the podcast, go to brainjo.academy/question…
41: Is It Harder To Learn A Language As An Adult? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:38
To submit a question for us to answer on the podcast, go to brainjo.academy/question. To subscribe to The Brainjo Connection, a free, twice-monthly newsletter about the latest science of how to keep the brain fit and hea…
40: Can Specific Exercises Boost Cognitive Performance? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:12
To submit a question for us to answer on the podcast, go to brainjo.academy/question. To subscribe to The Brainjo Connection, a free, twice-monthly newsletter about the latest science of how to keep the brain fit and hea…
39: What does Dr. T's brain fitness program look like? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:44
To submit a question for us to answer on the podcast, go to brainjo.academy/question. To subscribe to The Brainjo Connection, a free, twice-monthly newsletter about the latest science of how to keep the brain fit and hea…
38: Does sauna help prevent Alzheimer's? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:13
To submit a question for us to answer on the podcast, go to brainjo.academy/question. To subscribe to The Brainjo Connection, a free, twice-monthly newsletter about the latest science of how to keep the brain fit and hea…
37: Survival of the Kindest: The real story of human evolution [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:08
On today's episode with have the incredible Dr. Julian Abel to talk with us about the critical role of relationships, kindness, and compassion in human health. Links and Resources: "Creating Compassionate Communities and…
36: What's the long term impact of medications on the brain? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:07
Click here to view The Quadrant Model diagram, and learn more about it. To submit a question for us to answer on the podcast, go to brainjo.academy/question. To subscribe to The Brainjo Connection, a free, twice-monthly…
35: How does sugar contribute to Alzheimer's disease? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:16
Click here to check out the paper "Could Alzheimer's disease be a maladaptation of an evolutionary survival pathway mediated by intracerebral fructose and uric acid metabolism?" To submit a question for us to answer on t…