John Stennard, a healthy volunteer, taking the Fastball test in his home. (Credit: University of Bath)
In A Nutshell
- Scientists tested a 3-minute EEG “Fastball” task that measures the brain’s automatic recognition of repeated images.
- The method separated healthy older adults from those with memory-focused mild cognitive impairment (aMCI).
- Fastball results lined up with memory scores, not attention, suggesting it zeroes in on the memory systems hit earliest by Alzheimer’s.
- At one-year follow-up, people who later developed Alzheimer’s showed a trend toward lower Fastball scores, though researchers stress the test’s predictive value is not yet proven.
- Cheap, portable EEG makes Fastball a potential practical add-on to existing Alzheimer’s detection methods.
BATH, England — A new brain assessment called “Fastball” takes just three minutes and could transform how doctors identify Alzheimer’s disease. The technology has the potential to spot memory problems in people with mild cognitive impairment before they progress to dementia.
Unlike traditional memory tests, the Fastball method doesn’t require people to consciously recall or answer memory questions during the core task. Participants simply watch flashing images while wearing a basic EEG cap that tracks brain activity.
How the Fastball Test Measures Brain Activity
The test measures automatic brain responses that happen below conscious awareness. Participants view sequences of images flashing three times per second while an EEG cap records electrical brain activity. Most images are random, but certain “oddball” images appear repeatedly throughout the sequence.
The brain’s signals reveal whether it automatically recognizes these repeated images, even though participants aren’t asked to point them out. This passive approach avoids major limitations of current memory tests, which can be influenced by education, language, test anxiety, and cultural background.
Researchers from the University of Bath and University of Bristol tested 107 people: 54 healthy older adults and 53 with mild cognitive impairment. Of those with cognitive problems, 33 had memory-focused issues (amnestic MCI) while 20 had difficulties with other thinking skills (non-amnestic MCI).
Brain Response Patterns Reveal Memory Problems
Results, published in Brain Communications, showed clear differences between groups. People with amnestic mild cognitive impairment had much lower brain responses than both healthy adults and people with non-amnestic impairment.
Fastball specifically lined up with memory test scores, but not with measures of attention. This suggests the method is targeting the memory systems affected early in Alzheimer’s rather than just detecting general brain problems.
Advantages Over Current Diagnostic Methods
Fastball comes with practical perks. EEG equipment is cheap, non-invasive, and portable compared to brain scans like PET or MRI. In this study, it was even used in participants’ homes.
Follow-up testing after one year gave a glimpse of its potential. Among the six participants who developed Alzheimer’s during that time, baseline Fastball scores tended to be lower. Because the numbers are so small, researchers stress this doesn’t prove predictive power yet — but it hints at a possible role in identifying people at higher risk.
Current diagnostic approaches are shifting toward biological markers in blood, spinal fluid, or brain scans. While those tests show the protein deposits linked to Alzheimer’s, they don’t always match up with actual memory symptoms. Fastball takes a different angle by measuring how well memory systems are functioning, which could complement those structural biomarkers.
The researchers emphasized that Fastball shouldn’t replace traditional cognitive tests. Instead, it could be a valuable addition, especially for people who struggle with conventional assessments due to language barriers, severe anxiety, or limited education.
As dementia rates climb worldwide, early and accessible detection tools are becoming more important than ever. With new Alzheimer’s treatments working best when given early, a simple three-minute brain test could help bring timely care within reach.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The Fastball EEG test is still experimental and not yet available as a clinical diagnostic tool. If you have concerns about memory loss or Alzheimer’s disease, consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Paper Summary
Methodology
107 participants (54 healthy older adults; 53 with mild cognitive impairment). Core Fastball stream: ~3 minutes of images at 3 per second, with repeated “oddball” pictures. Full procedure lasted about 5 minutes, including short attention checks (pressing a button when a cross turned red) and naming images beforehand. EEG measured the brain’s automatic recognition of repeats.
Results
Amnestic MCI participants showed much lower brain responses than both healthy older adults and non-amnestic MCI. Fastball results tracked strongly with memory performance, not attention. After one year, six people had developed Alzheimer’s and two had developed vascular dementia; those who converted showed a trend toward lower initial Fastball scores.
Limitations
Follow-up was only one year, which is too short to prove predictive value. The study didn’t compare Fastball with structural biomarkers like PET scans or spinal fluid analysis.
Funding and Disclosures
Supported by the Academy of Medical Sciences (grant SBF005\1042). Authors reported no competing interests. Data and code are available via the Open Science Framework.
Publication Information
“A passive and objective measure of recognition memory in mild cognitive impairment using Fastball memory assessment” by George Stothart, Sophie Alderman, Oliver Hermann, Sam Creavin, and Elizabeth J. Coulthard. Brain Communications, 2025, volume 7, issue 5.
