Oxford University leads trials to help diagnose Alzheimer's

More than 944,000 people in the UK have dementia, a figure expected to rise to more than a million by 2030.

The new blood tests could be ready for use in the NHS within five years as part of a drive to fix the nation's low diagnosis rate.

Oxford University and the University College London will lead the trials to research the cheap tests for proteins in people with early stages of dementia and those who have mild or progressive problems with memory.

The trial could make the diagnosis of Alzheimer's more accessible with just 2% of people currently able to access tests.

It could also provide results to patients much sooner and accelerate the introduction of new Alzheimer's drugs that rely on early diagnosis.

Fiona Carragher, director of research and influencing at the Alzheimer's Society, said: "Dementia is the UK's biggest killer, yet a third of people living with dementia don't have a diagnosis, which means they're not able to access care and support.

"Blood tests are part of the answer to this problem they're quick, easy to administer and cheaper than current, more complex tests."

Dr Sheona Scales, director of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "We've seen the enormous potential that blood tests are showing for improving the diagnostic process for people and their loved ones in other disease areas.

"It's fantastic that through collaborating with the leading experts in the dementia community, we can look to bring cutting-edge blood tests for diagnosing dementia within the NHS. "

Jonathan Schott, chief medical officer at Alzheimer's Research UK, will lead the first trial on 1,100 people across the UK.

The second trial will cover new and existing blood tests on nearly 4,000 people, testing multiple forms of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies.

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