A nationwide trial aiming to introduce the first dementia blood test within the NHS is currently enrolling patients. University College London is implementing a novel blood test for 1,100 individuals sourced from 20 NHS memory clinics to identify early indicators of Alzheimer’s disease. This initiative is part of the £10 million ‘Blood Biomarker Challenge’ project, supported by the People’s Postcode Lottery, potentially leading to widespread dementia screening in the future.
Expert Professor Jonathan Schott, overseeing the trial, emphasized the importance of distinguishing between memory issues caused by Alzheimer’s disease and other factors like depression or sleep problems. Notably, around one million people in the UK have dementia, with a significant portion undiagnosed. Professor Schott encounters individuals with mild cognitive impairment, a condition characterized by progressive memory problems.
The trial, known as ADAPT (Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis and Plasma pTau217), utilizes a new blood test alongside cognitive assessments to detect Alzheimer’s disease at an earlier stage. This approach could facilitate the administration of emerging drugs that might halt the disease’s progression. Current diagnostic procedures for dementia involve complex tests like PET scans and lumbar punctures, with a moderate accuracy rate of 70%, which could be significantly enhanced by integrating the new blood test.
Professor Fiona Carragher, from the Alzheimer’s Society, highlighted the challenge of late dementia diagnoses and the necessity for improved support and treatment access. The ADAPT trial represents a crucial advancement in this area, potentially offering a faster and more accessible path to diagnosis. Researchers aim to assess the effectiveness of the blood test in guiding diagnosis and treatment decisions for patients with memory and cognitive issues.
Participants in the trial must be enlisted from specific NHS memory centers and meet certain criteria. For more information on the ADAPT trial or to assess brain health, refer to the provided links.
