A landmark study in Scotland is now offering people suspected of having Alzheimer’s disease the opportunity to receive a blood test through their general practitioner.
More than 50 GP surgeries across central and northern Scotland are participating in the initiative, known as Bringing Alzheimer’s Disease Biomarkers to General Practice (BriDGe).
Led by Scottish Brain Sciences, the project aims to explore how these advanced blood tests could significantly accelerate diagnosis, empower GPs to make more informed decisions regarding patient care, and ensure individuals gain earlier access to crucial support and treatments.
The study intends to refer up to 500 patients, establishing it as the largest UK investigation into Alzheimer’s blood tests conducted within a general practice setting.
This research holds particular importance in Scotland, where an estimated 90,000 people are currently living with dementia.
Approximately 60,000 of these individuals, or two-thirds, are believed to have Alzheimer’s, a form of dementia that profoundly impacts memory, thinking, and behaviour.
Notably, around 3,000 of those affected are under the age of 65. The project receives support from Roche Diagnostics, the developer of the specific blood tests, p-tau181 and p-tau217, being utilised in the research.
When found in the blood, these proteins reflect changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s, with international research showing they may detect or rule out the condition earlier and more accurately than many existing memory tests or scans.
The study aims to build GP experience and confidence in using the new tests, and to assess their value at the earliest stages of disease progression – where quicker, more accurate information could make the greatest difference for patients and their families.
Dr Sheelagh Harwell, senior associate GP at GP-Plus in Edinburgh, is one of the medics participating in the study.
She said: “The BriDGe study heralds an exciting time in general practice as new diagnostic blood tests become available.
“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.”
A patient known as Martin, who has taken part in a previous Scottish Brain Sciences study, experienced significant changes to his thinking and memory, and said the current diagnostics process is confusing.
“I have had conflicting information from healthcare professionals which has left me in limbo,” he said.
“I had tests through my GP and was told it is likely I have Alzheimer’s disease so I was referred to a psychiatrist at my local hospital.
“The psychiatrist told me I didn’t have Alzheimer’s, without carrying out any tests. I was quite shocked.
“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.”
Professor Craig Ritchie, chief investigator of the BriDGe project and chief executive and founder at Scottish Brain Sciences, described blood tests for Alzheimer’s as “one of the most exciting developments in dementia research in a generation”.
He continued: “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.”
Ashton Harper, global medical affairs lead for neurosciences at Roche Diagnostics, said: “This landmark collaboration between GPs, researchers and patients across Scotland has the potential to transform the way Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed.
“By paving the way for earlier detection through primary care, it could help more people access the right treatment, care and support at the earliest possible stage.”
Professor Tara Spires-Jones, professor of neurodegeneration at the University of Edinburgh, described the rollout of blood tests for use by GPs as “excellent news”.
She added: “Elevated levels of the protein pTau in blood indicate that people have Alzheimer’s disease-associated pathology in their brains.
“While not everyone with this pathology will go on to develop dementia, people with cognitive symptoms and a positive blood test are likely in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, meaning this test will help with diagnosis.
“This will be particularly important in the future as it is likely that new treatments will become available that can remove Alzheimer’s pathology from the brain and slow disease progression.”
GP surgeries interested in participating in the BriDGe study can contact Scottish Brain Sciences at referrals@brainsciences.scot.
