Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Scottish firm working towards ‘transformative’ early blood test for Alzheimer’s

Scottish Brain Sciences is collaborating with Roche Diagnostics on the project.

Katrine Bussey
Sunday 13 August 2023 19:01 EDT
A Scottish-based research firm is working with Roche Diagnostics in a bid to develop an early blood test for Alzheimer’s disease (John Stillwell/PA)
A Scottish-based research firm is working with Roche Diagnostics in a bid to develop an early blood test for Alzheimer’s disease (John Stillwell/PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A Scottish research firm is teaming up with a global leader in diagnostic technology for what is hoped to result in a “transformative” new blood test that would allow doctors to identify Alzheimer’s disease earlier.

Edinburgh-based Scottish Brain Sciences announced it is to collaborate with Roche Diagnostics on a series of major projects, which founder  Professor Craig Ritchie said could have “big impacts”.

The work aims to provide a better understanding of the earliest biological changes of neurodegenerative disease using blood based bio-markers.

It comes as more recent evidence has suggested changes could take place in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients before symptoms of the disease are present.

And it is hoped that being able to characterise and detect theses changes could lead to accurate early diagnostic tests, potentially allowing for patients to get treatment sooner.

Prof Ritchie said: “Early detection of brain changes associated with the earliest stages of neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer’s disease through blood testing will be transformative in the way we assess, manage, and conceptualise clinically Alzheimer’s disease.

“It will open the door to interventions used very early in the course of disease that are better targeted than current treatments.

“There will be an expectation of big impacts on disease course and even prevention of the late-stage dementia syndromes associated with neurodegenerative disease.”

He said he was “delighted” Roche Diagnostics had chosen to work with his frim, describing the move as “a huge vote of confidence in the Scottish life sciences sector”.

Earlier diagnosis may also delay the need for residential care and reduce costs for health and social care

Dr Ashton Harper, Roche Diagnostics UK and Ireland

Dr Ashton Harper, director of medical affairs for Roche Diagnostics UK and Ireland, said that Alzheimer’s disease was the major cause of dementia, which is currently the leading cause of death in the UK.

Dr Harper stated: “Early and accurate diagnosis of this condition has numerous advantages such as appropriate and timely management of symptoms, access to clinical trials and enabling future planning.

“Earlier diagnosis may also delay the need for residential care and reduce costs for health and social care.

“We are proud that through partnerships, like this one with Scottish Brain Sciences, Roche is driving the innovation which will help to deliver a future where early and accurate diagnosis is available to benefit all individuals and families affected by this terrible disease.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in