Right now, the way people are diagnosed with dementia in the UK is not good enough. Current figures estimate that more than a third of people over 65 who are living with dementia in England are undiagnosed. Waiting times for diagnosis are also on the rise, with people waiting an average of 22 weeks from referral to diagnosis.
There are now treatments on the horizon that slow the progression of Alzheimer’s that are most effective earlier in the disease – so getting an early and accurate diagnosis is more important than ever.
In April 2023, Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK, thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, jointly launched the game-changing Blood Biomarker Challenge, which is gathering the information needed to introduce a blood test for dementia into UK healthcare systems.
A blood biomarker is an indicator that can be measured in the blood, that can show if a person has a disease or has early warning signs of a disease and may be at risk of developing it.
In Alzheimer’s disease, there is an abnormal build-up of proteins in the brain, which are thought to be toxic to brain cells and lead to the symptoms that affect people with dementia. These proteins include amyloid and tau.
When proteins build up in the brain, the body tries to clear them away. As a result, these proteins can cross into a spinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Researchers have found these proteins can also leak through into the blood and be detected using a blood test.
In the future, we believe doctors will be able to use blood tests to indicate whether an individual has a buildup of these proteins in their brain. This, alongside other tests and clinical observations, will support doctors to make an earlier and more accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
Blood-based biomarkers could be the cost-effective, accurate and non-invasive diagnostic tool that is needed to revolutionise dementia diagnosis in the NHS.
Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer
At Alzheimer’s Society, we know the steps it will take to create a future where dementia no longer devastates lives. Only together can we beat dementia – by giving vital support to those who need it; funding groundbreaking research; and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be. It will take a society to beat dementia.
Find out more about the Blood Biomarker Challenge at
