4. Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP)
Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a blood marker that signifies astrocyte activation—one of the earliest responses in Alzheimer’s disease. Elevated GFAP levels have been strongly associated with a heightened risk of dementia and more rapid disease progression. As noted in the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Journal, measuring GFAP provides valuable insight into the underlying pathological changes, enabling clinicians to track disease onset and severity.