Over 1,100 participants will be recruited across 20 NHS centres, including Hampshire and Isle of Wight, with the trial led by University College London.
The blood test measures p-tau217, a biomarker for Alzheimer’s, and aims to provide a less invasive, more cost-effective alternative to current diagnostic methods like PET scans and lumbar punctures.
Funded by the Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK, and others, the trial seeks to introduce blood-based dementia diagnostics into the NHS by 2029 and improve outcomes for diverse patient groups.
Can the NHS handle the patient wave an early Alzheimer's test would create?
Could a simple blood test for Alzheimer's accidentally deepen healthcare inequalities?
How accurately can a blood test predict the year someone will develop dementia?
A new gene link is found; does this change who should get tested for Alzheimer's?
With new drugs still debated, what does an early diagnosis truly change for patients?
ADAPT Trial Launches Nationwide Validation of p-tau217 Blood Test to Cut Alzheimer's Diagnostic Delays by 50% in NHS
Overview
The ADAPT study, launched in August 2025 and funded by the Blood Biomarker Challenge, is recruiting 1,100 participants across 20 NHS memory clinics to validate the p-tau217 blood test for Alzheimer's diagnosis. This test measures a key protein linked to the disease and offers a faster, less invasive, and more accessible alternative to current methods, which only reach about 2% of suspected patients. The trial emphasizes diverse recruitment and includes a Patient and Public Involvement group to ensure equity. Following trial completion in 2028 and regulatory approval, NHS pilot programs will begin, aiming for a national rollout by 2029 to improve diagnosis speed and reduce healthcare costs.