Blood tests for diagnosing dementia a step closer

Around 5,000 people are to take part in a clinical trial to identify quick and accurate blood tests to diagnose Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

Dementias Platform UK (DPUK) Researchers at the University of Oxford and University College London have been awarded funding from the Alzheimer's Society, Alzheimer's Research UK and the National Institute for Health and Care Research and Gates Ventures, including £5 million from the People's Postcode Lottery.

Patients attending memory assessment clinics at the John Radcliffe Hospital are already taking part in the DPUK’s FAST study, looking into blood biomarkers, and Oxford volunteers are expected to take part of the Blood Biomarkers Challenge.

Currently, one-third of patients with dementia never get a formal diagnosis. It is hoped that, as a result of the trial, more people will be able to access care, support and new drug treatments at an earlier stage.

The two teams will recruit participants from across the country to ensure their findings are applicable to the whole of the UK's diverse population.

Timely and accurate diagnosis of the diseases that cause dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, is crucial as it means people can access vital care and support and take part in medical research. This will be even more imperative if new treatments are approved for use in the NHS, as these work best for people in the earliest stage of their disease.

Currently, people are usually diagnosed using memory tests and brain scans. These are less accurate than 'gold standard' tests like PET scans or lumbar punctures, which can confirm what type of dementia they have. However, only two per cent of people can access these specialist tests.

In recent years, different blood tests that can diagnose Alzheimer's disease and other causes of dementia have shown very promising results in research settings. But they have yet to be tested widely in clinical settings in the UK.

Dr Vanessa Raymont, chief investigator in Oxford for the study, will test multiple existing and novel blood tests, looking at a range of types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies. The researchers will also look at whether the blood tests can help detect these diseases at various stages.

She said: "Since I first stepped into a memory clinic 30 years ago there has thankfully been a shift in the way society thinks about dementia. There was previously a feeling that this was just another part of ageing, but now we’re seeing that people want to know more about their condition and they want a diagnosis, as it helps them access the support they need.

"Both my parents lived with dementia so I know first-hand the devastation this disease causes, and how a timely and accurate diagnosis can benefit people and their families."

Read more about the Blood Biomarker Challenge and how to take part.