A new blood test is being tested in the UK that could detect early signs of dementia, offering the potential for a quicker and more accurate diagnosis. This could help patients benefit from treatments that slow the progression of the disease.
Stephanie Everill, one of the first participants in the Blood Biomarker Challenge study, is experiencing memory loss. “I can’t remember anything. It’s just gone,” she says. After being diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) a year ago, she decided to act quickly, given her family history of Alzheimer’s.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, only 2% of patients have access to the most advanced tests, such as PET scans or cerebrospinal fluid analyses. This new blood test could make a big difference, detecting proteins and markers associated with dementia in a simpler and more accessible way.
The study, led by Professor Vanessa Raymon at the University of Oxford, highlights the importance of early diagnosis to select patients who may benefit from emerging treatments. Newer drugs, such as Leqembi and Kisunla, have been shown to slow the worsening of symptoms, but are only effective in the early stages of the disease.
Professor Fiona Carragher from the Alzheimer's Society says the blood test could revolutionise the diagnostic process. "Dementia is the leading cause of death in the UK and around a third of people remain undiagnosed. A simple and accurate blood test could be the key to changing this."
With an estimated one million people affected by dementia in the UK alone by 2024, this new analysis could represent a major step forward in patient care and treatment.
