How AI and Blood Tests Could Change Everything: The Future of Dementia Diagnosis
By Professor Matthew Kiernan, neurologist and researcher at Neuroscience Research Australia
Imagine heading to your local GP with some concerns about memory, and walking out with a clear, early-stage dementia diagnosis. No hospital visits, no spinal tap, no PET scan. Just a simple blood test. Thanks to breakthroughs in AI and neuroscience, this could soon be our new normal, making it easier to catch dementia earlier, when treatment and planning can make the biggest difference.
We’re on the edge of a huge shift in how dementia is diagnosed. And it could change everything, from how fast people get help to how we approach ageing.
A Simpler, Smarter Way to Diagnose
Right now, diagnosing dementia often means invasive and expensive procedures that not everyone can access. But that’s changing. AI-assisted blood tests are emerging that could identify Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia early and accurately.
It won’t be long before a GP can order a blood test that clearly shows whether someone has dementia. No specialist appointments or complex scans needed.
Why Sooner Is Better
These new tests are arriving just as new treatments are becoming available. Some have already been approved in the US and are being considered in Australia. They target the specific proteins linked to dementia and are most effective when used early.
That’s why quick and easy diagnosis is so important. AI makes it possible to spot the signs early, giving people the best chance to start treatment, plan ahead and stay independent for longer.
What This Means for Families and the Health System
For families, it’s a chance to better understand what’s happening and get support sooner. For the healthcare system, it’s a smarter way to handle the growing number of people with dementia.
It’s going to take more than just tech. We need better public awareness, less stigma and stronger support from governments and communities. Dementia is already the leading cause of death for Australian women and is set to become the leading cause for everyone over 75.
The tools are coming. The challenge now is making sure everyone can use them.
You can learn more about people living with Dementia by subscribing to the Australian Journal of Dementia Care.