A clinical trial in the U.K. is evaluating a new blood test that could reshape how Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed, according to The National.
Participants showing early signs of dementia are being recruited through NHS memory clinics to evaluate the test’s effectiveness. Researchers expect to have conclusive results within the next three years.
The project, led by University College London, focuses on whether measuring levels of the protein p-tau217 in blood samples can lead to faster and more accurate detection of Alzheimer’s disease. Early studies indicate that the test can identify individuals with cognitive decline with about 80 percent accuracy as being likely to have the disease.
First identified in 1906 by German physician Alois Alzheimer, Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia in older adults and is marked by a progressive decline in cognitive abilities.
Alzheimer’s is associated with the accumulation of amyloid and tau proteins in the brain. P-tau217 is considered a particularly strong biomarker because it signals the presence of both.
Specialists say blood-based screening could eventually offer a less invasive alternative to current diagnostic tools such as PET scans and spinal fluid tests, which, while reliable, are costly and difficult to administer. If successful, this new approach may improve early diagnosis and access to care for Alzheimer’s patients.
Early signs of the disease often include short-term memory lapses, such as repeatedly asking the same questions or misplacing items. As the disease advances, patients may experience speech problems, difficulty recognizing family members, and challenges managing everyday tasks like handling finances.
