Breakthrough: Blood Test Detects Dementia a Decade Early

Scientists are on the brink of a breakthrough that could allow early detection of dementia through a blood test, potentially more than ten years before symptoms are clinically diagnosed. This advancement comes after researchers found biological indicators related to dementia in blood samples from 50,000 participants in the UK, identifying a specific pattern of four proteins in older individuals that could signal the onset of the disease.

This method of detection, demonstrating a notable 90% accuracy rate, could revolutionize early diagnosis and treatment. Professor Jianfeng Feng, with affiliations to the University of Warwick and Fudan University in China, envisions the development of a screening tool suitable for widespread use within the NHS.

The significance of this development lies in its potential to drastically change the current approach to diagnosing dementia. By identifying at-risk individuals early, healthcare providers can prioritize them for more in-depth assessments, crucial for the administration of groundbreaking Alzheimer’s treatments such as lecanemab and donanemab, which are under review in the UK.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is currently evaluating these drugs for their cost-effectiveness, determining their future availability within the NHS. Although the US has already approved lecanemab, with donanemab on the verge of approval, European authorities are still in the process of reviewing them.

Despite the promising effects of lecanemab, a therapy developed by Biogen and Eisai, in slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s, there are concerns about the healthcare system’s readiness to provide these treatments. Patients eligible for these drugs need to be in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and must undergo specific tests to detect amyloid proteins in the brain, a key indicator of the disease.

Yet, Alzheimer’s Research UK points out that a mere two percent of those who could benefit from these treatments are currently receiving the necessary diagnostic tests, highlighting a significant gap in care provision for Alzheimer’s patients.