Summary: Researchers have developed Fastball EEG, a simple three‑minute brainwave test that passively measures recognition memory and can reveal early signs of memory impairment associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Unlike conventional memory assessments, Fastball requires no active responses from the person being tested, making it objective, quick, and easier to deploy outside specialist clinics.
The study demonstrates that Fastball delivers reliable results in non‑clinical environments, including in participants’ homes, paving the way for broader screening in settings such as GP practices and memory clinics. As new Alzheimer’s treatments become available, this accessible and low‑cost method could help identify candidates for early intervention sooner than current diagnostic pathways allow.
Key Facts:
- Early detection: Detects memory changes years before a typical clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.
- Accessible assessment: Produces consistent results in home environments and other non‑clinical settings.
- Treatment relevance: Supports earlier identification of people who may benefit from emerging Alzheimer’s therapies.
Source: University of Bath
A simple, three‑minute EEG test developed at the University of Bath can detect recognition memory problems linked to Alzheimer’s disease at an earlier stage than many current diagnostic methods.
Published in Brain Communications, the new study from researchers at the University of Bath and the University of Bristol reports that Fastball EEG—an entirely passive test in which participants view a rapid stream of images while their brain activity is recorded—can reliably identify memory impairment in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), a condition that can progress to Alzheimer’s disease.
This research builds on an earlier 2021 study that first showed Fastball’s sensitivity to memory deficits in Alzheimer’s. Crucially, the recent study demonstrates that the test can be carried out outside a laboratory, in participants’ homes, using affordable and portable EEG equipment. That capability substantially increases the potential for large‑scale screening and routine monitoring.
With approved therapies such as donanemab and lecanemab showing greater benefit in the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s, identifying memory impairment sooner is essential. Delays in diagnosis remain a barrier: in England, for example, a significant proportion of people with dementia remain undiagnosed, postponing access to treatments, support, and research opportunities.
The study was led by Dr George Stothart, a cognitive neuroscientist in the Department of Psychology at the University of Bath. He commented that current diagnostic tools miss much of the early trajectory of Alzheimer’s and that Fastball provides a way to detect subtle memory decline earlier and more objectively through a passive, rapid assessment.
How the test works
Fastball is a passive EEG protocol that records the brain’s automatic responses when participants view a rapid sequence of images. Because it relies on involuntary neural signals rather than verbal responses or task performance, it reduces bias related to test-taking ability, comprehension, or cooperation. The test captures how the brain differentiates previously seen from novel images, offering a direct measure of recognition memory.
Key findings:
- Fastball identified early memory dysfunction in people with amnestic MCI who are at increased risk of progressing to Alzheimer’s disease.
- The method produced reliable results when administered in real‑world home settings using low‑cost EEG hardware.
- Participants who later progressed toward dementia had lower Fastball responses at baseline, suggesting the test’s potential to predict decline.
Researchers conclude that Fastball could be scaled for routine use in primary care, memory clinics, or for home screening, offering a practical route to earlier and more accurate diagnosis. Dr Stothart emphasized the urgent need for accurate, scalable diagnostic tools and noted Fastball’s advantages: low cost, portability, and robust performance outside laboratory conditions.
The study received funding from the Academy of Medical Sciences and support from the dementia research charity BRACE. Chris Williams, CEO of BRACE Dementia Research, praised Fastball as a promising option for people who cannot easily access clinical assessment facilities and expressed support for continued development.
About this Alzheimer’s disease research news
Author: Lynn Li
Source: University of Bath
Contact: Lynn Li – University of Bath
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access. “A passive and objective measure of recognition memory in mild cognitive impairment using Fastball memory assessment” by George Stothart et al., Brain Communications. DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaf279
Abstract
A passive and objective measure of recognition memory in mild cognitive impairment using Fastball memory assessment
As pharmacological treatments and blood biomarkers for dementia advance, there is a critical need for accurate, sensitive functional biomarkers of cognitive change. Fastball is a novel EEG method that passively measures recognition memory without requiring behavioural responses or task understanding. Earlier work showed Fastball’s sensitivity to cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease.
The current study provides evidence that Fastball also detects amnestic dysfunction at the Mild Cognitive Impairment stage. A total of 53 MCI patients and 54 healthy older adult controls completed a three‑minute Fastball task while EEG recorded their automatic neural differentiation of previously seen versus novel images. Participants also completed standard neuropsychological tests of memory, sustained attention, and general cognition, and were re‑tested after one year to assess reliability and sensitivity to change.
Results showed that amnestic MCI patients had significantly reduced Fastball responses compared with non‑amnestic MCI patients (P = 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.98) and healthy controls (P = 0.005, Cohen’s d = 0.64). Regression analyses indicated that Fastball responses specifically predicted recognition memory performance rather than attention. Test‑retest reliability over one year was moderate to good in healthy controls, and a subgroup of six MCI participants who converted to dementia showed a trend toward lower baseline Fastball responses, warranting further longitudinal study.
Fastball is validated as a viable functional biomarker for recognition memory in cognitively impaired populations. It is passive, non‑invasive, quick to administer, and compatible with inexpensive, scalable EEG technology—features that support its potential role in advancing cognitive assessment and early detection of Alzheimer’s disease.