Story perspectives

Study Reveals Age and Education Impact Alzheimer's Risk

1/19/2026

27 4

Summary

Story summary

Dag Aarsland of Stavanger University Hospital led a study using blood-based biomarkers to assess Alzheimer's disease neuropathological change (ADNC).
The study analyzed 11,486 samples from participants aged 58 and older.
ADNC prevalence increases with age, with 8% of 58–69-year-olds and 65% of those over 90 testing positive for p-tau217.
Education levels correlate with ADNC prevalence, suggesting higher education may be protective and that prior estimates may misstate age-related risk.

1 of 1

Story summary

Dag Aarsland of Stavanger University Hospital led a study using blood-based biomarkers to assess Alzheimer's disease neuropathological change (ADNC).
The study analyzed 11,486 samples from participants aged 58 and older.
ADNC prevalence increases with age, with 8% of 58–69-year-olds and 65% of those over 90 testing positive for p-tau217.
Education levels correlate with ADNC prevalence, suggesting higher education may be protective and that prior estimates may misstate age-related risk.