People suspected of having Alzheimer's disease in Scotland can now receive a blood test for the condition through their general practitioner (GP) as part of a new study. The initiative, named Bringing Alzheimer's Disease Biomarkers to General Practice (BriDGe), aims to expedite diagnosis, assist GPs in determining patient care, and offer earlier access to support and treatments.
More than 50 GPs in central and northern Scotland are participating in the study, which is led by Scottish Brain Sciences. The project plans to test up to 500 patients, making it the largest UK study of Alzheimer's blood tests in a general practice setting. Approximately 90,000 individuals in Scotland are currently living with dementia, including about 3,000 people under the age of 65. Alzheimer's, a form of dementia that impacts memory, thinking, and behavior, is estimated to affect around 60,000 of these individuals.
The blood tests, developed by Roche Diagnostics and known as p-tau181 and p-tau217, detect proteins in the blood that reflect changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer's. International research suggests these tests can identify or rule out the condition earlier and more accurately than many current memory tests or scans.
The BriDGe study intends to increase GPs' experience and confidence in utilizing these new tests and to evaluate their effectiveness in the earliest stages of disease progression. "The BriDGe study heralds an exciting time in general practice as new diagnostic blood tests become available," said Dr. Sheelagh Harwell, a senior associate GP at GP-Plus in Edinburgh and a participant in the study. "Consultations are shifting from physicians discussing dementia risk with patients, to discussing brain health. An earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer's can aid patients with lifestyle modifications, allow them to access support sooner, and plan ahead."
Professor Craig Ritchie, chief investigator of the BriDGe project and CEO of Scottish Brain Sciences, called the Alzheimer's blood tests "one of the most exciting developments in dementia research in a generation." He added, "We now need to understand how they work in real-world healthcare. By partnering with 50 GPs and up to 500 patients, BriDGe will show how these tests could transform the way we detect, diagnose and ultimately treat Alzheimer's disease."
One patient, Martin, who previously participated in a Scottish Brain Sciences study, shared his experience with the current diagnostic process, describing it as confusing due to conflicting information from healthcare professionals. He stated, "If a blood test was available through my GP that could make the diagnosis process easier – and potentially quicker – I would be very willing to take it."