Prime Highlights:
- New blood tests could transform the way dementia is diagnosed, offering hope to patients and their families.
- Early and accurate diagnosis would allow people to access treatments sooner, improving care and quality of life.
Key Facts:
- Around one-third of people with dementia in the UK are currently undiagnosed.
- The trial is led by the North Bristol NHS Trust and Bristol University as part of the Blood Biomarker Challenge, supported by Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Background:
A new trial in the UK is testing blood tests that could change how dementia is diagnosed, giving hope to patients and their families.
Even with new treatments available, about one-third of people with dementia in the UK have not been diagnosed, meaning they miss out on important care. The trial, led by the North Bristol NHS Trust in collaboration with Bristol University, aims to change that.
Professor Elizabeth Coulthard, a leading researcher at Bristol University, said: “Every week I see patients who want to know why their memory is not as good as it used to be. Only with better diagnosis can we develop and deliver new treatments that will offer hope to millions of people.”
The trial focuses on biomarker blood tests that can indicate whether a person has dementia or is at risk of developing it. Researchers believe that such simple, non-invasive tests could dramatically speed up diagnosis, enabling earlier intervention and treatment.
Martin Short, 79, who is taking part in the trial, shared his optimism: “If I can find out why I am struggling to remember certain things through a simple blood test, that would be brilliant. It could either reassure me or signal that we need to investigate further.”
Dr Sheona Scales, director of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, highlighted the importance of early detection: “For patients and their families, getting an early and accurate diagnosis is a top priority. Using a blood test to achieve this could completely transform dementia care in the UK.”
The initiative, led by the READ-OUT research team at Dementias Platform UK, is part of the Blood Biomarker Challenge, supported by Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK, and the People’s Postcode Lottery.
Researchers are now urging people across Bristol to participate in the trial to help advance the understanding of dementia and bring innovative diagnostic tools to patients sooner.
Professor Coulthard emphasised: “We urgently need to revolutionise the way we diagnose people in this country. Early diagnosis is critical to ensure patients can benefit from new treatments as soon as possible.” This trial is an important step in UK healthcare, as blood tests could make it easier to detect dementia earlier.
