On September 10, 2025, British scientists launched a groundbreaking study into a new blood test that promises to transform the early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease across the United Kingdom. This innovative approach, developed and trialed by a team at University College London (UCL), could usher in a new era for patients and families grappling with the most common form of dementia—a condition long shrouded in uncertainty, stigma, and late-stage diagnoses.
The significance of this research cannot be overstated. For decades, diagnosing Alzheimer’s has relied heavily on cognitive tests, which often miss the disease in its early stages, and on invasive or expensive procedures such as PET brain scans or lumbar punctures to extract cerebrospinal fluid. These so-called "gold standard" tests are not routinely available and, according to BBC News, only about 2% of patients ever receive them. This leaves the vast majority of people facing a slow, uncertain path to diagnosis—if they receive one at all.
Now, the ADAPT trial, led by Professor Jonathan Schott and Dr. Ashvini Keshavan at UCL, is aiming to change that narrative. The team is recruiting more than 1,000 people with suspected dementia from 20 memory clinics across the UK National Health Service (NHS), including Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, which began recruitment just weeks ago. The goal: to test the effectiveness of a blood test that measures a biomarker called p-tau217, a protein that reflects the presence of both amyloid and tau—two rogue proteins that accumulate in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, sometimes decades before symptoms appear.
According to the BBC, scientists believe this blood test could improve diagnostic accuracy from about 70% to over 90%, a leap that would have profound implications for patients, clinicians, and the health system as a whole. The test, which costs around £100, is far more accessible and less invasive than previous methods. As Professor Schott told reporters, "After decades of research, we now have a blood test for Alzheimer's disease that is backed by strong scientific evidence and provides comparable information to other gold-standard diagnostic tests, such as PET scans and lumbar punctures, yet is far more accessible and cheaper."
The ADAPT trial is part of the multimillion-pound Blood Biomarker Challenge, supported by Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK, and the People’s Postcode Lottery. It’s not just about scientific validation; the study is designed to ensure the findings are relevant for a diverse population, recruiting participants from various geographic, ethnic, and economic backgrounds, as well as those living with other health conditions. This inclusivity is crucial, as dementia does not discriminate and can affect anyone.
Half of the study participants will receive their blood test results within three months of their initial assessment, while the other half will be informed after 12 months. The research team will assess whether earlier access to results speeds up diagnosis, guides decisions about further investigations, and influences how both patients and doctors interpret and respond to the findings. Importantly, the impact of receiving blood test results on patients’ quality of life will also be measured—a nod to the human side of this scientific advance.
Alzheimer’s disease, as noted by UNN and BBC News, is the most common form of dementia and is associated with the buildup of amyloid and tau proteins in the brain. These changes can begin up to 20 years before symptoms emerge, making early detection both a challenge and an opportunity. The new blood test, by measuring p-tau217, offers a window into these changes long before memory loss or confusion become apparent. This could be a gamechanger, especially as a new generation of drugs designed to slow cognitive decline nears regulatory approval.
For families affected by Alzheimer’s, the promise of early, accurate, and less invasive diagnosis is nothing short of revolutionary. Steven Pidwill, 71, from north London, whose partner Rachel Hawley was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s almost a decade ago, told BBC News, "I think it would mean everybody's idea of Alzheimer's would change. We would treat Alzheimer's more like having a disability, rather than sort of a curse, and something we can't talk about." Rachel, now 72, echoed his optimism: "I think I still have a very happy life, and am very lucky in all sorts of ways." The couple’s lived experience helped researchers at UCL design the trial and the feedback process for potential volunteers.
Beyond the UK, the momentum for blood-based diagnostics is growing. On May 16, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first blood test for Alzheimer’s disease, known as the Lumipulse test from Fujirebio Diagnostics. As reported by Managed Care Cast, this test measures two proteins in blood plasma, with their ratio indicating the risk of cognitive symptoms being caused by Alzheimer’s pathology. Validation data shows over 91% concordance with traditional amyloid plaque detection, making it a more affordable, less invasive, and more accessible alternative to brain scans or spinal taps. Experts like Howard Fillit, MD, and Anthony "Nino" Sireci, MD, MSc, have called this approval "a huge accomplishment" that could revolutionize diagnosis and treatment accessibility.
Back in the UK, the ADAPT trial will also examine whether providing blood test results earlier helps speed up diagnosis, guides decisions about further investigations, and influences how patients and clinicians respond. The findings could have ripple effects far beyond the NHS, potentially setting a new global standard for Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
As Professor Schott emphasized, "While identifying Alzheimer's disease early and accurately is already important for enabling access to current therapies and planning care, it will become even more critical as a new generation of treatments emerges that can slow down the decline of memory and thinking. Timely diagnosis will be key to ensuring these advances reach the people who need them most."
In January 2025, a research team from the University of Oxford and University of Cambridge, also part of the Blood Biomarker Challenge, began using a suite of new and existing blood tests to assess not only Alzheimer’s but also other forms of dementia, including vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies. This broad approach underscores the urgent need for accurate, accessible diagnostics across the spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases.
For now, the UK’s ADAPT trial stands at the forefront of this revolution. With more than 1,000 participants, 20 clinics, and the backing of major research and patient advocacy organizations, the hope is that, within three years, clinicians will have a powerful new tool to help families facing Alzheimer’s find answers—and perhaps, a measure of hope—sooner than ever before.
