Overview

• A study of 199 cognitively healthy adults aged 40+ with a family history of Alzheimer’s found no psychological harm from learning their amyloid beta PET scan results.
• Participants with low amyloid levels reported significant improvements in depression, anxiety, and memory concerns six months after disclosure.
• Those with elevated amyloid levels showed reduced anxiety without increases in depression or memory-related worries.
• Both groups experienced a decline in motivation to maintain healthy lifestyle habits, such as exercise and diet, despite knowing the importance of such changes in reducing dementia risk.
• Researchers emphasize the need to refine communication strategies to sustain motivation for preventive behaviors as early detection and therapies for Alzheimer’s advance.