Blood test to detect Alzheimer’s early

BRITISH scientists are close to developing a simple blood test to predict those at risk of dementia.

The breakthrough would pave the way for a national screening programme to identify those most susceptible early on.

Medics would then use a disease modifying therapy to prevent or slow the onset of symptoms.

Early testing could see hundreds of thousands of sufferers and their families spared from debilitating and distressing mental decline.

There are 280 researchers for the Dementia Research Institute [DRI] working in six universities.

Scientists at its £250million hub at University College London are confident a therapy will be created by 2025 to treat the causes of the as yet incurable condition, rather than simply mask its symptoms. They are within touching distance of a quick test carried out in GP surgeries to predict risk.

This raises the possibility of screening everyone in their 40s and 50s to assess their chances of developing the condition.

About 850,000 people now live with dementia in the UK but the figure is set to double by 2050.

DRI scientists are working to understand the very early molecular events that trigger dementia.

Professor Bart De Strooper, director of the DRI, said: “In 10 years we will have a cure, it is not an unrealistic goal.

“You start to see biochemical changes about 20 years before dementia manifests itself so if you could stabilise the disease in this insidious phase that would be very good – that would also be a cure.”

£433million of public money has been given to accelerating progress in early detection, improved treatment, prevention and care.

Government funding worth £15million has been ploughed into the Dementia Discovery Fund and £190million to the UK Dementia Research Institute.

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Jeremy Hughes of Alzheimer’s Society said: “We are right behind the care minister in her call for more people to get involved in dementia research.

“Dementia is a global health crisis. Government, charities and the pharmaceutical industry all need to work together to get more people involved in research to fight it.

“Progress has been made but we must keep our foot on the pedal.”

● To register for dementia research programmes visit joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk or call Alzheimer’s Research UK on 0300 111 5111.