Thousands to Test Blood Samples in Alzheimer’s Trial
Thousands of individuals will have the opportunity to undergo a blood test for dementia as part of a trial conducted by memory clinics throughout the United Kingdom. The aim of this initiative is to facilitate earlier access to care, support, and potential new drug treatments for individuals with dementia.
The research, led by University College London and the University of Oxford, will involve approximately 5,000 volunteers over a five-year period. The project will focus on studying blood tests for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Currently, only a small percentage of patients with dementia receive formal diagnoses, with around 2% undergoing gold standard tests such as PET brain scans or spinal lumbar punctures. These tests can detect the presence of abnormal proteins in the brain, such as amyloid and tau, which accumulate years before symptoms appear. However, they are costly and not widely accessible.
The Oxford team will explore various blood tests that could serve as a more affordable and convenient means of identifying early signs of dementia. These tests will target the detection of specific proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease, as well as potential biomarkers for other forms of dementia.
Dr. Vanessa Raymont from the University of Oxford emphasized the importance of including diverse populations in the study to ensure the validity of the data obtained.
Meanwhile, the University College London team will focus on evaluating the effectiveness of a promising biomarker called p-tau217, which can indicate levels of amyloid and tau in the brain. The trial aims to assess whether measuring p-tau217 in the blood can enhance the diagnosis rate for Alzheimer’s disease in individuals with early dementia or mild but progressive memory issues.
Volunteers like Lucy, who has personal experience with dementia through her mother, expressed interest in participating in the trial, hoping for early detection and potential future treatments.
Professor Jonathan Schott from UCL highlighted the importance of early and accurate diagnosis, particularly with the prospect of new treatments that can slow down Alzheimer’s disease. However, he noted that even if these treatments are approved, they would need to undergo further evaluation for cost-effectiveness before being widely available through the NHS.
Dr. Sheona Scales, director of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, emphasized the significance of blood tests in improving the diagnostic process for dementia, which remains a major health challenge in the UK.
Overall, the Blood Biomarker Challenge is funded by several organizations, including Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Research, and Gates Ventures, with contributions from the People’s Postcode Lottery.
Comment Template