Researchers have raised concerns that social media may be misleading healthy individuals into taking Alzheimer’s blood tests, potentially causing unnecessary anxiety. These tests, such as p-tau217 and p-tau181, detect biological markers in the blood that are linked to brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive disorder that is the leading cause of dementia. The tests look for abnormal proteins that can indicate early brain changes, but they are not a definitive diagnosis on their own. They are often quicker and more accessible than traditional diagnostic methods like brain imaging or lumbar punctures. Experts agree that these blood tests should not be used for people who are healthy and have no symptoms of cognitive decline. According to medical guidelines from organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association, the tests must be used alongside other medical evaluations and should not be used for screening. While the tests can detect biological signs of Alzheimer’s early, a positive result does not necessarily mean a person will develop dementia. Some individuals may test positive but never experience symptoms. Dr. Jenna Smith from the University of Sydney’s school of public health analyzed 188 social media posts about Alzheimer’s blood tests from accounts with over 114 million followers. She found that about 10% of the posts were from doctors who claimed the tests could be useful for asymptomatic screening, with most of these posts coming from the United States. Some doctors had clear financial interests in promoting the tests, though others provided more balanced information, discussing the limitations and potential harms. The findings were published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. The research showed that more than one-third of the posts promoted the tests for people without symptoms, and accounts with financial interests were more than three times as likely to do so. Dr. Smith highlighted the risks of unnecessary diagnosis, as people who test positive may not develop dementia, and there is no clear guidance on what to do next. Treatments for Alzheimer’s have been tested on people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia, so it is unclear if they would work for those who test positive but are healthy. There are also concerns about psychological impacts, costs, and insurance implications. Prof. Susan Kurrle, president of the Australian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine, emphasized that these tests should only be ordered by doctors in specific situations. She noted that tests should only be used when there is a high likelihood of early Alzheimer’s. In Australia, the tests can cost up to $400 when ordered through a doctor and are not covered by Medicare. Online providers charge up to $600, and some do not mention the need for pre-test screening. Kurrle warned that false positive results could cause unnecessary fear, while false negatives might lead people to ignore modifiable risk factors like lack of exercise or high cholesterol.