New blood test could revolutionise Alzheimer’s diagnosis in UK

Health & Fitness
10 Sep 2025 • 2:18 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • British patients are trialling a major new blood test for Alzheimer’s disease, which could revolutionise the diagnosis of the condition.
  • The trial, led by a University College London team, investigates whether measuring the p-tau217 protein can improve early and accurate diagnosis within the NHS.
  • This blood test is considered as accurate as current, more invasive methods like PET scans and lumbar punctures, but is significantly more accessible and cheaper.
  • The study will recruit 1,100 people from memory clinics across the UK to assess the test's effectiveness in guiding diagnosis and treatment, and its impact on patients.
  • Experts anticipate answers within three years, with the potential for the test to be integrated into NHS practice, enabling earlier diagnosis crucial for accessing current and future therapies.

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