New Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Disease Trial Launched in the UK
Over 1,000 individuals in the UK who may have dementia will now have the opportunity to take a blood test for Alzheimer’s disease. This initiative is seen as a potentially groundbreaking step in diagnosing the condition.
The blood test identifies biomarkers linked to abnormal proteins that accumulate in the brains of affected individuals. This will serve as an additional measure alongside traditional cognitive tests, which can often lead to misdiagnoses at early stages.
Researchers at University College London believe this blood test could enhance diagnostic accuracy from 70% to over 90%. They’re keen to see how this might benefit both patients and healthcare providers.
Participants will be enrolled from 20 memory clinics as part of this study, which aims to assess the effectiveness of the test within the National Health Service (NHS).
Alzheimer’s disease, noted as the most prevalent form of dementia, is related to the buildup of two abnormal proteins—amyloid and tau—in the brain, sometimes for decades before any symptoms surface. The new blood test, priced around £100, measures a biomarker called p-tau217, indicating the presence of both proteins.
Currently, the only definitive methods available for confirming Alzheimer’s are specialized PET scans and lumbar punctures to analyze cerebrospinal fluid. However, these procedures are not routinely used in Alzheimer’s diagnoses, with only about 2% of patients undergoing them.
Professor Fiona Carragher, chief policy and research officer at the Alzheimer’s Society, mentioned that a recent survey indicated only a third of dementia patients found the diagnosis process to be satisfactory. Many felt anxious about receiving the diagnosis.
She added that this often results in late-stage diagnoses, restricting access to essential treatments and support. The Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis and Plasma p-tau217 (ADAPT) trial is currently recruiting at a memory clinic in Essex, with an additional 19 diagnostic centers across the UK set to participate.
This study is being coordinated by scientists at University College London, with backing from Alzheimer’s Research UK and the Alzheimer’s Society, funded by the People’s Postcode Lottery.
Jonathan Schott, a professor of neurology and chief medical officer at Alzheimer’s Research UK, expressed excitement at welcoming participants into the ADAPT trial. He described this trial as essential for the Blood Biomarker Challenge, aiming to transform the way dementia is diagnosed.
In this study, half the participants will receive their blood test results within three months, and the remainder will find out after 12 months. Researchers will investigate whether receiving results sooner can lead to quicker diagnoses, aid in decision-making regarding further tests, and potentially affect how individuals and doctors react to the findings.
The trial will also focus on how the blood test impacts patients’ quality of life. If successful, this blood test could become a standard component of Alzheimer’s diagnostics, especially important as several new treatments for early-stage dementia are nearing the final phases of testing.
A Gamechanger for Families
Steven Pidwell, 71, from north London, believes that a fast and accurate blood test for Alzheimer’s, alongside emerging therapies, would significantly change the landscape for families navigating this condition. His partner, Rachel Hawley, has dealt with her Alzheimer’s diagnosis for almost ten years.
He remarked, “It would shift everyone’s perception of Alzheimer’s, making it more akin to a disability rather than a dreaded fate that’s hard to discuss.”
Although a diagnosis can be distressing, the couple insists on making the most of their time together. Rachel, 72, maintains, “I feel quite fortunate in many ways and manage to lead a pretty happy life.”
The pair participated in shaping the trial by providing insights drawn from their personal experiences with Alzheimer’s. Results from the study conducted by UCL are anticipated in about three years.
