Blood test trials for early Alzheimer’s diagnosis launched in the UK
Thousands of people in the UK concerned about their memory condition will soon have the opportunity to participate in trials for a blood test that can identify Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias years in advance. The University of Oxford and University College London are set to launch two trials involving 5,000 volunteers recruited from 50 memory centers across the country.
The goal of these trials is to expedite the diagnosis process and test a more cost-effective and simpler method of detecting Alzheimer’s disease with greater accuracy. The trials, costing approximately twelve million euros, will span five years and aim to determine if simple and affordable blood tests can be used on a larger scale by the National Health Service for Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
The first study, led by Professor Jonathan Schott of University College London, will focus on the biomarker p-tau217, which can indicate the accumulation of beta amyloid in the brain. The second study, conducted by Oxford researchers, will investigate various blood tests to distinguish between different types of dementia such as Alzheimer’s, dementia with Lewy bodies, and vascular dementia.
In the UK, as well as in Europe and Italy, the current diagnosis of Alzheimer’s relies mainly on cognitive tests, which may not always provide a definitive evaluation. Research on blood biomarkers aims to identify Alzheimer’s proteins well in advance and potentially avoid or delay the onset of the disease.
Dr. Alessandro Padovani, an expert in neurology, emphasizes the importance of preventative measures and controlling risk factors to potentially avoid Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s will grant individuals access to future drug therapies currently under examination by the European Medicines Agency.
The trials in the UK will not only contribute to advancing Alzheimer’s research but also offer hope to thousands of individuals seeking early detection and intervention for this debilitating disease.