Sterling Johnson, PhD, spoke with The New York Times about new blood biomarker tests used to predict a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The tests measure p-tau217, a blood-based biomarker that can detect Alzheimer's disease-related brain changes often years before symptoms appear.
Research led by Johnson found that midlife adults who exercised regularly, ate a healthy diet, avoided smoking and maintained better overall health had a lower risk of developing cognitive impairment over time, regardless of their p-tau217 blood test levels.
He emphasized that healthy lifestyle habits may help protect the brain against the potentially harmful effects of the buildup of Alzheimer's-related proteins.
“Blood Tests to Predict Alzheimer’s Are Causing Confusion and Distress” was published in The New York Times on August 12, 2026.
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