Rome: A simple blood test measuring insulin resistance may help predict how quickly early-stage Alzheimer’s disease progresses, offering new hope for timely intervention. Researchers presented the findings at the European Academy of Neurology Congress 2025, revealing that patients with higher TyG index levels, a marker of insulin resistance, were four times more likely to experience rapid cognitive decline.
The study involved 315 non-diabetic adults with an average age of 70, of whom 200 had biological confirmation of Alzheimer’s. All participants were assessed using the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, a non-invasive test that combines common lab values: fasting glucose and triglycerides. After a three-year follow-up, the results showed that those in the highest TyG group declined much faster cognitively than those with lower scores.
Dr. Bianca Gumina, part of the research team from Italy’s University of Brescia, emphasized the test’s clinical potential: “The TyG index is already available in routine labs and could flag patients most vulnerable to rapid decline early.” This early detection window is vital, as current treatments and lifestyle changes are more effective when implemented in the mild cognitive impairment phase before full-blown Alzheimer’s sets in.
While weathered diagnostic tools can confirm Alzheimer’s, they fall short in predicting its progression. The TyG test, according to Gumina, could fill that gap and lead to personalized care, such as targeted lifestyle changes, closer monitoring, or earlier enrollment in clinical trials.
Experts in the U.S. agree. Dr. Rehan Aziz of Jersey Shore University Medical Center highlighted the value of accurate prognosis for care planning and treatment decisions, especially as new but risky therapies like aducanumab and lecanemab enter clinical use. Dr. Peter Gliebus of Baptist Health South Florida echoed that sentiment, calling the study “highly applicable” to everyday practice. He emphasized how it could finally answer a common but difficult question: “How fast will it get worse?”
Though the study is still pending peer review, it points to the TyG index as a low-cost, widely accessible marker for Alzheimer’s progression risk. Future steps include comparing TyG scores with brain scans and genetic markers to build more refined, individualized treatment models.
