Alzheimer's screening test

The Daily Telegraph reported yesterday that a 30 second screening test for the disease could be around in only 2 years time.
The screening process aimed at people around the age of 40, which would be conducted in GP surgeries using computers, could identify the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in later life.
Currently cognitive memory tests and brain scans such as PET and SPET are used but the only way to get a full examination of the brain is after death.
Research into the new test by Professor Bunce of Brunel University and has found an effective way of spotting potential sign using patient reaction times. They studied brain scans of healthy men and women ages 44-48 in search for tiny lesions which are similar to those discovered in post mortems of Alzheimer's patients. 15% of 428 participants had these abnormalities which occured in the brain's memory hub (same place as the lesions found in post mortems). The volunteers with the brain lesions had a range of reaction times whereas thoe which healthy brains were more consistient with reaction times.

This test could indicate the development of Alzheimer's disease leading to a quicker diagnosis. These patients could then take preventive stpes such as changing their diet and increasing the amount of exercise they do. If these patients are treated with drugs earlier on it could be that they will never develop the disease. However knowing at the age of 40 that you are likely to develop Alzheimer's could add to the stress of their current life, with the possibility of developing psychological distress or perhaps a depressive illness.