What can memory tests predict about the aging brain?

Abstract

“Am I getting Alzheimer's?” This is a frequent question from patients in memory clinics. Indeed, “dementia worry” is a common source of health anxiety, rivaling that associated with developing cancer.1,e1 Newer biomarkers, such as amyloid PET and spinal fluid levels of amyloid, τ, and phosphorylated τ, may have improved proximal predictions of Alzheimer disease (AD), but they are not without risks and substantial costs. Inexpensive and noninvasive screening measures with both good sensitivity and specificity are needed.