As human life expectancy continues to increase, age-related diseases are the main impediment to enjoying the fruits of longevity. High on the list is Alzheimer’s disease, the incurable neurodegenerative condition that robs sufferers of their memory and eventually leads to death. But valuable progress is being made in the understanding and prevention of the disease. A new study at the Keck School of Medicine of USC in Los Angeles has revealed that biological changes in the brain occur long before symptoms of Alzheimer’s become apparent. The research, led by neuropsychologist Dr. Duke Han, suggests that cognitive tests are able to detect early stage of the disease in people without symptoms. In this in-depth interview, Dr Han argues that routine brain testing should be incorporated into annual physical check ups for people of all ages.