Digital biomarkers and wearable technologies represent an emerging frontier in [Alzheimer's disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease) (AD) research and clinical care. These technologies enable continuous, objective monitoring of motor function, cognitive performance, sleep patterns, and daily activities, providing complementary information to traditional biomarker modalities.
What Are Digital Biomarkers?
...
Overview
Mermaid diagram (expand to render)
Digital biomarkers and wearable technologies represent an emerging frontier in [Alzheimer's disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease) (AD) research and clinical care. These technologies enable continuous, objective monitoring of motor function, cognitive performance, sleep patterns, and daily activities, providing complementary information to traditional biomarker modalities.
What Are Digital Biomarkers?
Digital biomarkers are objective, quantifiable physiological and behavioral measures collected via digital devices that are used to explain, influence, and/or predict health-related outcomes[@kaye2014]. In the context of neurodegenerative diseases, they include:
[GFAP (Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein) - Biomarker](/biomarkers/gfap-glial-fibrillary-acidic-protein) - related to sleep and astrocyte function
Future Directions
Key areas highlighted at AAIC 2026:
FDA clearance for digital cognitive assessments
Integration with electronic health records
Personalized monitoring algorithms
Machine learning for multi-modal data analysis
References
[Kaye J, et al., Unobtrusive measurement of daily computer use to detect mild cognitive impairment. Alzheimers Dement. 2014 (2014)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2013.12.017)
[Doraiswamy PM, et al., 5 Digit Cognitive Test: A novel smartphone-based assessment for early detection of mild cognitive impairment. Alzheimers Dement. 2022 (2022)](https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.12634)
[Lucey BP, et al., Sleep and Alzheimer's disease biomarkers-A bidirectional relationship. Neurology. 2020 (2020)](https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000010899)