A nationwide trial is currently underway to potentially introduce the first dementia blood test within the NHS. University College London is enrolling 1,100 participants from 20 NHS memory clinics to undergo a new blood test aimed at early detection of Alzheimer’s disease, a significant milestone sought after by dementia researchers.
The trial is part of the £10 million ‘Blood Biomarker Challenge’ project, supported by the People’s Postcode Lottery, with the goal of establishing routine population screening for dementia. Renowned dementia expert Professor Jonathan Schott, heading the trial, emphasized the importance of accurate diagnosis, stating that distinguishing between Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions like depression is crucial for appropriate treatment.
Approximately one million individuals in the UK are living with dementia, yet a third remain undiagnosed. Professor Schott, a consultant neurologist at University College Hospital, commonly sees patients with mild cognitive impairment, highlighting the significance of identifying the underlying causes early on.
The trial, named ADAPT (Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis and Plasma pTau217), utilizes a new blood test in conjunction with cognitive assessments to detect the disease at an earlier stage. By identifying the presence of key proteins linked to Alzheimer’s in the blood, the test offers a more accessible and cost-effective alternative to current diagnostic methods.
Professor Fiona Carragher from the Alzheimer’s Society emphasized the urgent need for early diagnosis to enhance access to support and treatment. The ADAPT trial represents a crucial step forward in addressing the challenges associated with late dementia diagnosis, offering a faster and more accessible route for identifying the disease.
Participants in the trial must be enrolled through designated psychiatrist-led NHS memory centers and meet specific eligibility criteria. For further details on the ADAPT trial, interested individuals can access the information provided.