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New Delhi: A simple finger-prick blood test that could identify Alzheimer’s disease years before symptoms appear is being trialled on more than a thousand adults, raising hopes of a major shift in how the condition is diagnosed. The study aims to test whether low-cost blood screening done by general physicians can help detect biological signs associated with Alzheimer's disease. This helps replace lengthy and invasive procedures. At present, patients have to go through brain imaging, cognitive assessments, and lumbar punctures before confirming a diagnosis.
Researchers say that this approach could shorten diagnosis time and make treatment easier and quicker. This matters because it is estimated that up to a third of people living with dementia in England have not yet been formally diagnosed, delaying access to care and support.
The international study, known as Bio-Hermes-002, is being led by medical research charity LifeArc in partnership with the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation, with support from the UK Dementia Research Institute. Nearly 900 of the required 1,000 participants have already been recruited across the UK, the United States, and Canada. Volunteers include individuals with no cognitive symptoms, those with mild memory impairment, and people diagnosed with early to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
Blood samples taken during the trial will be analysed for specific biomarkers associated with neurodegeneration, including phosphorylated tau 217, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and neurofilament light. These markers are known to reflect changes occurring in the brain long before clinical symptoms emerge. Participants will also undergo existing gold-standard diagnostic tests so researchers can directly compare results.
Scientists have long understood that abnormal amyloid and tau proteins can build up in the brain more than a decade before Alzheimer’s becomes apparent. Identifying these changes through a straightforward blood test could open the door to earlier intervention, particularly as new drugs designed to slow disease progression move closer to widespread use.
Dr Giovanna Lalli of LifeArc said recent advances in blood-based biomarkers have transformed the research landscape, but affordability and accessibility remain critical. She emphasised that scalable tests are essential if early diagnosis is to become routine rather than exceptional.
The study is also notable for its diversity, with nearly 30 per cent of participants drawn from groups traditionally under-represented in clinical research. Professor Henrik Zetterberg of the UK Dementia Research Institute described the trial as a landmark effort that could reshape diagnostics not only for Alzheimer’s but for other neurodegenerative conditions as well.
Advocacy groups have welcomed the initiative, noting that long diagnostic delays remain a major problem in the UK. Alzheimer’s Society has stressed that early and accurate diagnosis must be prioritised as new treatments approach NHS readiness. If successful, the blood test could make timely diagnosis available to far more people, removing barriers created by cost, geography, and limited specialist access.
