Nose swabs could flag Alzheimer's earlier, Duke study suggests
Duke researchers are testing whether a nasal swab taken from the back of the nose, using an endoscope and a small brush, can reveal early brain changes linked to Alzheimer's—potentially offering a less invasive and cheaper alternative to lumbar punctures or amyloid PET scans. While promising, the approach is in early stages, but if validated it could speed diagnosis and hasten the use of new disease-modifying therapies, easing the burden on patients and families.
