DEMENTIA CAN BE PREDICTED 15 YEARS BEFORE DIAGNOSIS

Blood test could indicate likelihood of developing disease with 90% accuracy

- Hanna Geissler

DOCTORS may soon be able to diagnose dementia up to 15 years before the first symptoms emerge, after scientists developed a blood test with 90% accuracy.

Early diagnosis is key to finding a cure, as the first treatments to slow Alzheimer's are only effective during the initial stages.

The breakthrough came as NHS chiefs promised they were "doing everything possible" to roll out new medicines at an estimated annual cost of up to £1billion. The test combines protein analysis with artificial intelligence to find 11 biomarkers linked to the brain-wasting disease.

It follows previous breakthroughs in accurate testing, opening options for people to receive early diagnosis and treatments.

But the new check comes as dementia charities warned thousands could miss out due to inadequate detection rates.

There are around 900,000 people with dementia in the UK but there is no cure.

However Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, told the Daily Express: "The NHS is a world leader in rolling out innovative treatments "It is doing everything possible to prepare for the arrival of new treatments for Alzheimer's disease once they are deemed safe and approved for use.

"A dedicated NHS programme is looking at what services and tests would be best used to support people at the earliest stages of this cruel disease." The latest blood test, developed by experts at Warwick University and China's Fudan University, was evaluated using samples collected from more than 52,000 people enrolled in the UK Biobank study.