Wiltshire dementia charity welcomes 'exciting' study seeking earlier diagnosis
Researchers will be looking for certain proteins in blood tests
A dementia charity in Wiltshire has welcomed a pair of studies that aim to diagnose dementia earlier.
The research is being carried out by University College London and Oxford University and will be looking for certain kinds of protein in blood samples.
Around 5,000 people from the UK will be taking part in the tests.
The aim is to spot dementia even before symptoms develop, so people can be monitored early on, access care, and get support.
Annie Clayton, from Alzheimer's Support Wiltshire has called the studies 'exciting'.
"Every step like this is in a positive step," she said, "It adds to our knowledge and kind of move us that little bit closer to finding a cure."
She described dementia as a 'complicated' disease, saying it's still a misunderstood illness with the charity pushing hard to raise awareness of the disease.
Annie told Greatest Hits Radio that people living with dementia will experience their own unique journey.
"Each dementia has got its own particular kind of symptoms to it and it's important that people have some idea of what their journey might be like. It means they can have an idea about how the illness will progress."
Knowing how the illness might progress means people with the disease can plan their lives accordingly, such as finance, power of attorney and putting care in place.
Annie added it might give people access to medication they might not otherwise have been able to get.
She's urged anyone with concerns over their memory to visit their GP as it could be caused by something other than dementia.
The charity support people living with dementia in Wiltshire in a number of ways, including through their Day Clubs, where volunteers provide activities for people with dementia, allowing family carers some respite.
They have centre's in Salisbury, Trowbridge, Devizes and Warminster.