Many people fear Alzheimer’s because symptoms usually show up late, when the damage has already progressed. But tech entrepreneur and longevity enthusiast Bryan Johnson believes there’s a way to catch the risk much earlier.
In a recent video posted on Instagram, he said, “I had a marker for cognitive decline and I reversed it. The FDA just approved a blood test that can spot signs of Alzheimer’s before the symptoms emerge. It’s called Lumipulse G and it identifies a protein in your blood called p-tau 217. When this protein builds up, it’s a sign your brain could be in trouble later.”
Johnson explained how he personally tracked his levels. “I took the test a few months ago and my level was 0.14. With that as my baseline, I started a therapy called hyperbaric oxygen therapy and it lowered my levels by 28%. As I’ve learned over the years, measurement is king.”
Encouraging his followers not to shy away from health data, he added, “I know a lot of you are scared of data and knowing, but honestly, it’s the best thing for your health. Measure yourself, learn your risks, and take the appropriate actions.”
This raises important questions about how much weight we should give to early markers, tests, and therapies like the ones Johnson mentions. To get clarity, we asked an expert.
How reliable is the Lumipulse G blood test in spotting Alzheimer’s risk before symptoms actually appear?
Dr Priya Raghavan, senior consultant psychiatrist at Cadabams Hospitals, tells indianexpress.com, “The Lumipulse G test is an important step forward because it measures proteins in the blood that are strongly linked with Alzheimer’s. While this test increases the chances of detecting risk much earlier than traditional methods, it is not yet considered a stand-alone diagnostic tool. It can indicate a higher risk, but needs to be interpreted alongside other assessments such as clinical evaluation, cognitive testing, and imaging. At this stage, the test offers a promising early signal rather than a definitive answer.”
On hyperbaric oxygen therapy
“The protein p-tau 217 is one of the early biological markers linked to Alzheimer’s,” explains Dr Raghavan, adding that a rise in this protein can signal the beginning of abnormal brain changes even before memory issues appear. If therapy lowers this level, it suggests that some processes linked to Alzheimer’s may be slowing down.
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She further states, “Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is being studied for its potential to improve blood flow and reduce inflammation in the brain. Early studies are encouraging but the scientific community does not yet consider it a proven treatment. More large-scale and long-term trials are needed before it can be recommended with confidence.”
Is there a downside to measuring biomarkers too early or too often?
Tracking health data can motivate people to adopt healthier lifestyles, but there are also risks when it is done too early or too frequently. “Constant testing can lead to unnecessary anxiety, false alarms, and in some cases even over-medicalisation of normal ageing. With conditions like Alzheimer’s, not every biomarker change means the disease is inevitable. The key is to balance curiosity with caution and to interpret results only with the guidance of a qualified professional. Early awareness is valuable, but it must be paired with a realistic understanding of what science can currently tell us,” concludes Dr Raghavan.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.