Scientists from the University College London and Oxford University are working on developing a blood test to detect early signs of dementia. Only 2% of patients currently have access to specific tests for dementia, such as PET scans or lumbar punctures, due to limited availability in NHS memory clinics. The researchers are part of the Blood Biomarker Challenge, supported by Alzheimer’s Research UK and the Alzheimer’s Society, with funding from the People’s Postcode Lottery. They aim to provide quicker and cheaper tests that could give patients faster results and help administer new Alzheimer’s medicines more efficiently.
The blood tests could be ready for use in the NHS within five years as part of an effort to address the UK’s low dementia diagnosis rate. According to Fiona Carragher from the Alzheimer’s Society, a third of people living with dementia do not have a diagnosis, leading to difficulties in accessing care and support. The new blood tests present a promising solution to this issue, as they are quick, easy to administer, and more affordable than current tests like PET scans. The trials are expected to involve thousands of people across the UK to test the accuracy and effectiveness of the blood tests in diagnosing various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
The trials will be led by experts such as Dr. Sheona Scales from Alzheimer’s Research UK and Dr. Jonathan Schott from University College London. The focus will be on identifying key biomarkers, such as p-tau217, which can indicate levels of amyloid and tau in the brain, essential markers for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Vanessa Raymont from Oxford University will also lead a trial testing multiple blood tests on nearly 4,000 people to cover different forms of dementia. This research aims to increase the rate of diagnosis for Alzheimer’s disease in people with early dementia and mild but progressive memory problems, improving access to new treatments.
In the UK, over 944,000 people currently have dementia, with projections expecting this number to rise to over a million by 2030. The revolutionary blood tests could play a crucial role in improving the diagnostic process for dementia, allowing for earlier detection and intervention, especially as drugs for dementia are known to work best when the disease is identified early. By providing quicker and more accessible diagnostic tools, the new blood tests offer hope for a new chapter in dementia treatment in the country, potentially transforming the way the condition is managed and cared for in the future.
The collaboration between leading dementia researchers and funding from organizations like Alzheimer’s Research UK and the Alzheimer’s Society signifies a significant step forward in addressing the challenges of dementia diagnosis and treatment. The support from the People’s Postcode Lottery also highlights the importance of investing in innovative research that can have a real impact on public health. The success of these trials could pave the way for widespread adoption of blood tests for dementia across the NHS, benefiting thousands of people in the UK who are affected by or at risk of developing dementia. With promising results expected within the next few years, the future looks brighter for dementia patients who stand to benefit from faster and more accurate diagnostic methods.
