Alzheimer's Blood Test & Cognitive Screening in Longwood, FL

Early Clarity & Prevention

Our Alzheimer's Blood Testing, paired with Cognivue® Computerized Cognitive Assessment, helps catch cognitive issues early.

Medically reviewed by David S. Klein, MD, FACA, FACPM — Last updated April 2026

Understanding Alzheimer's: What It Is and Why It Matters

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that slowly damages the regions of the brain responsible for memory, thinking, language, and reasoning. It is the most common cause of dementia in older adults, accounting for an estimated 60–80% of all dementia cases, according to the Alzheimer's Association.

At the cellular level, Alzheimer's is defined by two hallmark changes in the brain: the buildup of a protein called beta-amyloid, which forms plaques between nerve cells, and abnormal deposits of a second protein called tau, which tangle inside nerve cells. These changes disrupt how brain cells communicate, and over time the cells begin to die. This process can start 15–20 years before memory or thinking symptoms become noticeable, which is one reason early, objective testing matters so much.

Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging. While occasional forgetfulness is common and often benign, Alzheimer's causes a pattern of cognitive change that interferes with daily life — remembering recent conversations, managing finances, navigating familiar places, or following routines. The earlier that pattern is identified, the more options a patient and their family have for planning, lifestyle intervention, and appropriate specialist referral.

Alzheimer's: An Impending Risk for Americans

The number of people living with Alzheimer's is projected to reach 12.7 million among those age 65 and older by 2025. Luckily, there are tools available to help identify symptoms early and support proactive care planning. At the Stages of Life Institute, we now offer Alzheimer's Blood Testing. This test may help identify potential contributing factors or areas for further evaluation.

We also pair this Blood Testing with the Cognivue® Test, which helps our team decide which blood biomarkers to order. Note that our Alzheimer's Blood Test is a screening tool, not a diagnostic tool.

What This Test Measures

Beta-amyloid (Aβ42/40 ratio). Amyloid proteins can form plaques in the brain. When plaque builds, Aβ42 falls relative to Aβ40 in the blood. Modern lab methods can quantify that ratio from a standard blood draw.

Phosphorylated tau (p-tau, notably p-tau217). Tau proteins form tangles inside brain cells in Alzheimer’s. When those processes begin, tiny phosphorylated fragments leak into the bloodstream; p-tau217 is among the most informative markers available today.

What Raises Your Risk of Alzheimer's?

Alzheimer's risk is influenced by both non-modifiable and modifiable factors. Understanding both helps you and your physician decide whether earlier testing is appropriate and what you can do today to protect long-term brain health.

Risk factors you cannot change

Age

The single strongest risk factor. The chance of developing Alzheimer's roughly doubles every five years after age 65.

Genetics

Carriers of the APOE-e4 gene variant have a higher lifetime risk, though many people with APOE-e4 never develop Alzheimer's and many without it do.

Sex

Women are diagnosed with Alzheimer's more often than men, partly because they tend to live longer but also for reasons researchers are still studying.

Down syndrome

Adults with Down syndrome have a substantially higher lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer's, often at younger ages.

Family history

Having a parent or sibling with Alzheimer's increases your risk.

Modifiable risk factors (things you can act on)

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Cardiovascular health

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes in midlife are linked to higher dementia risk.

Untreated hearing loss

Now a recognized modifiable risk factor; using hearing aids when indicated may lower risk.

Obesity and physical inactivity

Midlife obesity and inactivity are associated with elevated dementia risk; regular physical activity may lower it.

Poor sleep

Chronic sleep disruption (including untreated sleep apnea) is associated with increased amyloid buildup.

Smoking

Increases risk for dementia of all types, including Alzheimer's.

Head injury

Repeated or severe traumatic brain injury is now considered an established risk factor for dementia.

10 Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer's

The Alzheimer's Association identifies 10 common early warning signs of Alzheimer's disease. Any one of these in isolation is not proof of Alzheimer's — many are caused by sleep problems, medications, thyroid dysfunction, or mood disorders, all of which are reversible. But a cluster of these signs, or a single sign that is worsening over months, is a reason to schedule an objective evaluation.

Memory loss that disrupts daily life — forgetting recently learned information, repeatedly asking the same question, or relying heavily on notes and family members for things that used to be automatic.
Challenges in planning or solving problems — trouble following a recipe, keeping track of monthly bills, or concentrating on a task that involves several steps.
Difficulty completing familiar tasks — trouble driving to a known location, managing a household budget, or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
Confusion with time or place — losing track of dates, seasons, or the passage of time; occasionally forgetting where they are or how they got there.
Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships — difficulty reading, judging distance, or determining color and contrast, which can affect driving.
New problems with words in speaking or writing — stopping mid-conversation with no idea how to continue, struggling with vocabulary, calling things by the wrong name.
Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps — putting items in unusual places and, as the disease progresses, accusing others of stealing.
Decreased or poor judgment — changes in decision-making, especially with money, or paying less attention to grooming and hygiene.
Withdrawal from work or social activities — pulling back from hobbies, social events, or projects because of the cognitive changes they are experiencing.
Changes in mood and personality — becoming confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious, especially in situations outside of their comfort zone.

We Are Dedicated To Improving And Preserving A High Quality Of Life

Patients from across the U.S. now have access to an Alzheimer's Blood Test that can arm them with insights about their cognitive health.

Earlier Clarity

You don't have to wait months to get the answers and guidance you deserve.

Comfort In Nationwide Access

You can use any lab in the U.S. for the blood draw and have specimens shipped to Stages of Life for processing and physician-guided interpretation.

Earlier Access To Therapy

The sooner you understand your risk, the sooner you can begin focusing on improving outcomes.

Empowered With Next Steps

If results are positive or indeterminate, a PET/CSF confirmation is necessary. If negative, we can explore other potential causes of your symptoms.

Monitoring & Prevention

For those at-risk genetically but who are cognitively intact, it's reassuring to screen, then confirm to optimize sleep, mood, cardiovascular risk, and lifestyle.

Secure In Their Privacy

For patients who prefer not to submit through insurance, we offer a private-pay option for an additional $150.

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Accuracy At-A-Glance: About 80% Of Results Are Definitive

Roughly 20% fall into an “indeterminate” zone and should be confirmed with PET/CSF. A negative result can also point us away from Alzheimer’s and toward sleep disorders, mood issues, vascular problems, metabolic factors, or medication effects when the biology is not consistent with Alzheimer’s.Dr. David S. Klein and the Stages of Life team combine these biomarkers with Cognivue® computerized cognitive assessment and a comprehensive clinical review to give you clear guidance, not just numbers and technical jargon.

Why Earlier Clarity Changes Outcomes

Until recently, most people only learned they had Alzheimer's disease after the symptoms were already clearly affecting daily life. Today, a new generation of plasma biomarker tests — measuring p-tau217 and the Aβ42/40 ratio, the same markers already referenced on this page — has made it possible to detect the biology of Alzheimer's much earlier, often before or alongside the first cognitive symptoms.

More treatable causes can be ruled in or out.

Many conditions mimic Alzheimer's — thyroid disease, B12 deficiency, sleep apnea, depression, certain medications, and hormonal imbalances. When testing is done early, those reversible causes can be identified and addressed before a person loses function unnecessarily.

Modifiable risk factors can still be modified.

Cardiovascular, metabolic, sleep, and lifestyle interventions have the biggest impact when they're started before substantial brain change has already occurred.

Newly approved Alzheimer's therapies are time-sensitive.

The anti-amyloid medications now on the U.S. market are only indicated for early-stage disease, so later detection can mean later access to the option.

Patients and families can plan.

Early confirmation gives people time to make financial, legal, housing, and caregiving decisions on their own terms, with their own voice.

Why Choose Stages Of Life For Your Cognivue® Test, Assessment, And Treatment?

Dr. David Klein has been practicing medicine since 1983, and is a pioneer in the fields of pain management and neuroendocrinology.

He pairs his medical experience and research insights with Cognivue’s computerized assessment with a review of your medical history, medication review, sleep and mood screening, and metabolic/vascular labs, most of which are done in his practice. You leave with clear next steps in plain language, what looks normal, what’s concerning, and treatment path he recommends.

If the pattern doesn’t fit Alzheimer’s, Dr. Klein redirects quickly to common, treatable causes, such as sleep disorders, depression/anxiety, vascular risk, metabolic issues, pain, or medication effects. He then treats what he finds.

He and his team are with you every step of the way in your journey, no matter where that journey takes you. We help arrange imaging, specialty referrals, and follow-ups, and we stay with you and your family as needs evolve.

Four Easy Steps To Identifying The Unknown

The process is simple and effective, and one of the easiest ways to gauge potential cognitive issues.

Consultation & Screening Plan

Brief history, medication review, and Cognivue® cognitive assessment. Based on our consultation, we'll decide which blood biomarkers to order.

Get Blood Drawn Near You

If you're not seeing Dr. Klein directly, we'll provide instructions for your local lab. Specimens are handled and shipped to Stages of Life for analysis and interpretation.

Results Review & Two-Step Pathway

You will get access to all available features immediately.

Likely positive: Discuss disease-modifying therapy options and arrange PET/CSF to confirm.
Negative: Pivot to non-Alzheimer’s causes and treatment.
Indeterminate: Repeat or escalate to confirmation testing.

Personalized Plan

This includes written recommendations covering sleep hygiene, mood support, pain management, cardiovascular risk reduction, exercise/nutrition, cognitive rehab, supplements (when evidence-supported), and follow-up intervals.

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FAQ

Is this a diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s?

No. It’s a screening tool. It helps estimate whether Alzheimer’s biology is likely and whether to confirm with PET/CSF.

What happens after the test?

After your blood draw and Cognivue® cognitive assessment, our team reviews the results with you. If the biomarker pattern is consistent with Alzheimer's pathology, we help coordinate specialist referral — typically to a neurologist or memory-disorder clinic — for confirmatory imaging and a treatment plan. If the pattern is not consistent with Alzheimer's, we investigate the other common causes of memory symptoms (sleep, thyroid, hormones, vitamin deficiencies, medications, mood). The goal is the same either way: an accurate diagnosis and a clear next step.

What is the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term for a group of symptoms — memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with thinking or problem solving — severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's is a specific disease of the brain and is the most common cause of dementia, responsible for an estimated 60–80% of cases. Other causes of dementia include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Objective testing helps identify which is present.

Is the Alzheimer's Blood Test covered by insurance?

Insurance coverage for plasma biomarker testing is evolving. Some plans cover the test when it is ordered for a symptomatic patient over 55; others do not yet cover it. Our front desk verifies your coverage before your appointment and will walk you through any out-of-pocket cost before the blood is drawn — no surprises. The existing $150 Privacy Service, which keeps results off insurance records, remains available as a separate private-pay option.

How accurate is it?

Roughly 80% of tests yield clear positive/negative guidance. About 20% are indeterminate, which is the test being honest that biology is unclear—so we recheck or proceed to confirmation.

Who should consider an Alzheimer's Blood Test?

Candidates who tend to benefit most include: adults 55 and older who are noticing memory changes; anyone with a parent or sibling diagnosed with Alzheimer's; people with long-standing cardiovascular or metabolic risk factors; individuals with a history of repeated head injury; and people whose partners or family members have been raising concerns. The test is not currently indicated as a routine screening for people with no symptoms.

At what age should I start thinking about Alzheimer's screening?

There is no single recommended age, but most experts agree that a conversation with your physician is appropriate if you are over 55 and notice any of the 10 early warning signs, or if you have a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Plasma biomarker testing is generally indicated for adults aged 55 and older who are already experiencing signs or symptoms of cognitive change.

Do you diagnose or treat Alzheimer's disease at Stages of Life?

Stages of Life Medical Institute provides early, objective Alzheimer's testing — a plasma biomarker blood test (p-tau217 / Aβ42/40 ratio) combined with the Cognivue® computerized cognitive assessment — along with a full evaluation for reversible causes of memory symptoms. Formal diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and disease-modifying therapy are typically delivered by neurologists and memory-disorder specialists, and we coordinate that referral when indicated. Our role is diagnostic clarity and comprehensive medical context.

If not Alzheimer's, will I know if it's something else?

Yes. When results aren’t consistent with Alzheimer’s biology, we focus on sleep disorders, mood conditions, vascular risk, metabolic issues, pain, or medications—all common, treatable causes of cognitive symptoms.

Can Alzheimer's be prevented?

There is no proven way to prevent Alzheimer's disease, but a growing body of research shows that addressing modifiable risk factors — blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, physical activity, sleep quality, hearing, smoking, and social engagement — can meaningfully reduce risk at the population level. The Lancet Commission on Dementia estimates that addressing 14 modifiable factors could prevent or delay up to 45% of dementia cases worldwide. That is one of the strongest arguments for knowing where you stand earlier rather than later.

What causes Alzheimer's disease?

Researchers have not identified a single cause. Alzheimer's appears to result from a combination of age-related brain changes, genetics, and lifestyle and environmental factors. The two hallmark brain changes are the buildup of beta-amyloid plaques between nerve cells and tau protein tangles inside nerve cells. Why these changes begin in some people and not others is still being actively studied.