Routine Blood Test Flags Alzheimer's Risk Years Before Symptoms Appear
Researchers at NYU Langone Health found that the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a standard measurement from a routine blood count, may predict Alzheimer's risk years before any symptoms emerge. Analyzing data from nearly 400,000 patients across two major healthcare systems, scientists found that higher NLR levels consistently correlated with greater dementia risk over both short and long timeframes. Neutrophils are white blood cells that respond to infection and inflammation, and their elevated presence may not just reflect disease but actively contribute to it. The findings suggest that a test already available in most clinical settings could become a practical early-warning tool, potentially enabling earlier intervention for at-risk individuals.