A groundbreaking blood test designed to detect Alzheimer’s disease earlier and with greater accuracy is currently being trialed in the UK. Patients suspected of having dementia are being recruited through memory clinics as part of a significant study assessing the test’s effectiveness within the National Health Service (NHS). Experts anticipate that results from this trial will be available within three years.
Innovative Testing Approach
The trial is part of the Blood Biomarker Challenge, a multimillion-pound initiative supported by the Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK, and the People’s Postcode Lottery. Led by a team from University College London (UCL), the research focuses on the protein p-tau217, which may enhance the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. While previous studies have indicated the test’s potential, researchers seek to determine if administering it at the start of memory assessments aids in diagnosis and treatment decisions.
The study aims to recruit 1,100 participants from a variety of geographic, ethnic, and economic backgrounds, ensuring that the findings are applicable across a wide demographic. Alzheimer’s disease, the leading cause of dementia, is linked to the accumulation of two key proteins in the brain: amyloid and tau. P-tau217 is emerging as a promising biomarker that indicates the presence of both proteins.
Experts believe that blood tests, such as those measuring plasma p-tau217, could detect these proteins with a level of accuracy comparable to more invasive methods like PET scans and lumbar punctures. If validated in NHS practice, blood tests could become a vital component of broader assessments to confirm Alzheimer’s diagnoses for individuals already experiencing cognitive issues.
Research Goals and Participant Experience
The Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis and Plasma pTau217 (Adapt) team, led by Professor Jonathan Schott and Dr. Ashvini Keshavan, recently began recruitment at the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, with an additional 19 centres across the UK expected to join the effort. Half of the participants will receive their blood test results within three months of their initial memory service assessment, while the other half will receive theirs after 12 months.
The research team will evaluate whether earlier access to results accelerates diagnosis, informs further investigations, and influences how both patients and healthcare providers understand and respond to the findings. Additionally, the study will assess how blood test results impact the quality of life for participants.
Professor Schott, who is also the chief medical officer at Alzheimer’s Research UK, expressed enthusiasm about the trial, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome participants onto the Adapt trial – a critical part of the Blood Biomarker Challenge – which we hope will take us a step forward in revolutionising the way we diagnose dementia.” He emphasized that after decades of research, the advent of a blood test for Alzheimer’s disease offers a scientifically backed alternative that is more accessible and cost-effective than traditional diagnostic techniques.
Currently, only about 2% of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s have access to gold-standard diagnostic tests. Early and accurate diagnosis is vital not only for accessing existing therapies but also for preparing for new treatments that could significantly slow cognitive decline.
Professor Fiona Carragher, chief policy and research officer at the Alzheimer’s Society, highlighted the importance of timely diagnosis, noting that many individuals fear the diagnostic process. She stated, “Our recent Lived Experience Survey revealed that only a third of people with dementia felt their experience of the diagnosis process was positive, while many reported being afraid of receiving a diagnosis.” Late diagnoses often hinder access to necessary support and treatment.
In January 2024, another research team from the University of Oxford and University of Cambridge, also participating in the Blood Biomarker Challenge, announced its plans to use a different combination of tests on dementia patients. This effort seeks to evaluate various new and existing blood tests across multiple dementia types, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies.
The outcomes of these studies could pave the way for more effective and less invasive diagnostic options for Alzheimer’s disease, ultimately improving the lives of millions impacted by dementia.
