Should You Invest $799 in Advanced Alzheimer’s Blood Testing?

By Dustin Strong, CHN, ACN

A new era in brain health—and a new kind of question

We’re entering a new era in cognitive health.

For decades, Alzheimer’s disease was something we detected late—often after symptoms had already begun to interfere with daily life. But today, emerging biomarkers are shifting that timeline earlier… sometimes years earlier.

Which raises an important question:

How early is too early to look for signs of cognitive decline?

A newly published study in Nature Communications highlights one of the most promising tools in this space: plasma p-tau217.

In this study of cognitively normal older adults, researchers found:

• Higher baseline p-tau217 levels were associated with:

  • Faster future accumulation of amyloid and tau in the brain

  • Greater downstream cognitive decline

    
    

• Even more compelling:

  • Individuals with very low p-tau217 had minimal risk of progression over time

In other words, this biomarker may help identify who is on a neurodegenerative trajectory before symptoms appear.

Why this matters right now

We are seeing concerning trends toward earlier cognitive decline.

While not all cases are Alzheimer’s, and not all risk is genetic, the broader pattern is clear:

Cognitive health is becoming a midlife issue, not just a late-life one.

At the same time, we now have tools that may detect risk earlier than ever before.

The opportunity is real.

But so is the responsibility to use these tools wisely.

What this test actually measures (and what it doesn’t)

Today, some platforms - including Function Health - offer a Brain Health / Alzheimer’s Detection panel that includes:

• p-tau217 → a marker of tau-related neurodegeneration

• Amyloid beta 42 (Aβ42)

• Amyloid beta 40 (Aβ40)

• Aβ42/40 ratio → an early indicator of amyloid dynamics

Together, these markers provide insight into one specific pathway of cognitive decline:

Alzheimer’s-type pathology

But here’s "the thing":

This test helps you detect one pathway of cognitive decline earlier—but it does not replace a full brain health strategy.

Because cognitive decline is rarely caused by one factor alone.

The bigger picture: what actually drives cognitive decline

While amyloid and tau get most of the attention, they are only part of the story.

Other major drivers include:

🩸 Vascular health

Blood flow, microvascular integrity, and blood pressure all directly affect brain function.

🍬 Metabolic health

Insulin resistance and glucose dysregulation impair brain energy metabolism.

🔥 Inflammation

Chronic immune activation can drive both amyloid and tau pathology.

💤 Sleep & clearance systems

The brain clears waste (including amyloid) during deep sleep via the glymphatic system.

🌱 Environmental and lifestyle factors

Toxins, stress, diet, movement, and social connection all play a role. (This one is far too under appreciated)

So should you get this test?

Let’s make this practical.

This test may be valuable if you:

• Have a family history of Alzheimer’s or dementia

• Are experiencing subtle cognitive changes you don’t want to ignore

• Are over 50 and thinking proactively about brain health

• Want deeper insight and are prepared to act on the results

It may be less useful if you:

• Are younger and low-risk

• Are looking for “peace of mind” alone

• Would not pursue further evaluation or changes based on the result

The concept of “earlier escalation”

This is where I believe this testing becomes most meaningful.

Not as a diagnosis.

Not as a label.

But as a signal.

The test doesn’t tell you what to do, it tells you whether you should look closer, sooner.

If results are elevated, that might mean:

• Taking cognitive concerns more seriously

• Establishing a formal baseline

• Exploring further evaluation

• Becoming more aggressive with prevention strategies

If results are low:

• It may offer reassurance

• But not a free pass

Because prevention still matters, regardless of biomarker status.

My approach

I don’t believe this is a test everyone should run.

But I do believe it has a place.

This is a powerful tool when used in the right context, but incomplete on its own.

That’s why I’m choosing to make this option available to individuals who are:

• Actively seeking deeper insight into their cognitive health

• Ready to use the information to guide next steps

• And committed to a broader, integrative brain health strategy

Final thoughts

We are moving from a world where we detect cognitive decline late…

To one where we may be able to identify risk trajectories early.

That shift is powerful.

But the goal isn’t just to detect risk.

The goal is to change trajectory.

And that requires more than a test.

It requires context, strategy, and action.

Ready to Go Deeper?

If you’ve read this far, you’re likely not looking for surface-level answers.

You’re thinking long-term.You’re thinking proactively.

And you’re open to using data to guide your health decisions - not replace them.

Here’s how to approach this next step:

This advanced brain health panel (including p-tau217 and amyloid markers) is now something I’m making an option - but not as a blanket recommendation.

Instead, I’m offering it as a targeted option for individuals who:

• Want deeper visibility into their cognitive health trajectory

• Are ready to take action based on what they learn

• And value having guidance in interpreting and integrating their results

If that’s you, here’s what I recommend:

Before ordering, let’s make sure this is the right test for the right reason.

Because context matters.

What happens next:

If we decide this is a good fit, we’ll:

• Review your personal risk factors and goals

• Determine whether this panel adds meaningful value for you

• And map out clear next steps, regardless of the result

Because the goal isn’t just to gather information..

It’s to use that information to change trajectory.

You don’t need every test.

You need the right information, at the right time, with the right plan behind it.

And if this is one of those moments, I’m here to guide you through it.