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News • September 16th, 2026
|A groundbreaking trial exploring the potential of blood tests to diagnose dementia has begun in the Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust. This significant initiative aims to improve the UK’s dementia diagnosis rate, which is crucial for providing timely support and treatment for those affected by this condition.
What Is the Trial About?
The trial, known as the READ-OUT (REAl World Dementia OUTcomes) study, is part of a larger project called the Blood Biomarker Challenge. This multi-million-pound initiative is led by Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK, with funding support from players of the Postcode Lottery, the National Institute for Health and Care Research, and Gates Ventures. The goal of the trial is to determine whether a series of blood tests can complement existing diagnostic methods used in NHS memory clinics. This could help doctors provide quicker and more accurate diagnoses for people living with dementia.
Why Blood Tests?
Currently, diagnosing dementia can be a lengthy and complex process. Blood tests could significantly simplify this by identifying specific biological markers, known as biomarkers, associated with different types of dementia. These include Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies. The researchers will examine how well these blood tests work at various stages of the diseases and whether results differ based on factors such as ethnicity or existing health conditions, like kidney disease.
Recruitment of Participants
The trial aims to recruit over 3,100 participants from 37 sites across the UK, including those in South Yorkshire and the Humber. The first participants already joined the study in Oxford in January 2025. To ensure a diverse range of experiences and backgrounds, the trial is particularly keen on including individuals from minority ethnic groups, the elderly, and those with other medical conditions.
Expert Opinions
Professor Vanessa Raymont, the Director of Dementias Platform UK and Co-Lead of the READ-OUT study, expressed excitement about the potential for advancements in dementia research
“We’re in an incredibly exciting time for dementia research right now, with new drugs that can slow early Alzheimer’s disease. Although these are not yet approved for use in the NHS, we urgently need to revolutionise the way we diagnose people in this country.”
This highlights the pressing need for timely diagnoses, particularly as new treatments become available.
Impact of Early Diagnosis
Laura Chow, head of charities at Postcode Lottery, emphasised the importance of early diagnosis in improving outcomes for individuals living with dementia. She remarked, “This marks a pivotal moment in the fight against dementia and highlights the immense value of funding raised by Postcode Lottery players.” Early detection not only allows for better management of the condition but can also enhance the quality of life for both patients and their families.
The Study's Structure
The READ-OUT study will unfold over five years, with the first three years dedicated to fact-finding and testing blood samples from participants across the UK. In the final two years, a clinical trial will take place involving 880 participants, focusing on how blood tests for dementia affect diagnosis, quality of life, and overall care.
Complementary Studies
The READ-OUT study works alongside another research initiative called ADAPT (Alzheimer’s disease Diagnosis And Plasma pTau217). This study is also focused on blood biomarkers and is conducting trials with 1,100 participants to understand the impact of blood test results on care and quality of life.
What Is a Blood Biomarker?
Biomarkers are measurable indicators of biological processes in the body. In the context of dementia, blood biomarkers can help provide evidence of the presence of specific diseases. This can lead to more accurate diagnoses and tailored treatments, which are vital for effective management of dementia.
The trial in South Yorkshire and the Humber represents an important step towards revolutionising how dementia is diagnosed in the UK. With the potential for blood tests to provide quicker and more accurate results, this research could have a profound impact on the lives of those living with dementia. As the study progresses, it will be crucial to monitor its findings and how they can be integrated into routine clinical practice, ultimately enhancing the quality of care for individuals affected by this challenging condition.
