Predicting amyloid beta accumulation in cognitively unimpaired older adults: Cognitive assessments provide no additional utility beyond demographic and genetic factors

Standard neuropsychological tests do not significantly improve the prediction of amyloid beta positivity (Aβ+) in cognitively unimpaired older adults beyond demographic and genetic information alone. Across three well-characterized cohorts, machine learning models incorporating cognitive measures failed to significantly improve Aβ+ prediction, indicating the limited relationship between cognitive performance on these tests and the risk of pre-clinical Alzheimer's disease (AD). These findings challenge assumptions about cognitive symptoms preceding Aβ+ screening and emphasize the need for developing more sensitive cognitive tests for early AD detection.