Doctors urge people to do it.
A recent study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia has found that while learning one’s risk for Alzheimer’s disease through brain scans may ease emotional distress, it can also reduce the motivation to maintain healthy lifestyle habits. The research involved nearly 200 cognitively healthy adults who underwent imaging to detect amyloid beta levels, a key marker of Alzheimer’s. Participants completed assessments of their mental health and lifestyle habits both before and six months after receiving their scan results.
Surprisingly, the study revealed that those who discovered they had elevated amyloid levels—indicating a higher risk for Alzheimer’s—experienced reduced anxiety, and those with low levels showed improvements in mood and memory confidence. These emotional benefits occurred regardless of whether the scan results were favorable or concerning. The researchers concluded that simply knowing the results may bring a sense of clarity or peace of mind.
Despite these emotional gains, the study also showed a consistent drop in participants’ motivation to maintain brain-healthy behaviors like eating well and exercising. This decline occurred even among those with higher amyloid levels, suggesting that knowledge of risk alone isn’t enough to sustain long-term lifestyle changes. Researchers emphasized that strategies to reinforce healthy habits are essential, especially for those at increased risk.
Experts involved in the study stressed the importance of preparing individuals emotionally and behaviorally for risk disclosure. As advances in Alzheimer’s prevention and treatment continue, more people may undergo biomarker testing in the future. With this trend, researchers say it’s vital to optimize how results are communicated to encourage long-term health engagement rather than complacency.
Discussion about this post