Dr Joanne Rodda, Senior Lecturer in Professional and Personal Development, and Lead for Mental Health at KMMS, has co-authored an article published on 22nd May, titled: ‘Global multi-speciality clinician perspectives on the implementation of Alzheimer’s disease blood biomarkers.’
In this study, clinicians from around the world were surveyed about their views regarding the use of blood biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease. The findings highlighted that most clinicians felt that the blood tests are likely to be most helpful in making a diagnosis in people who have symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, most clinicians did not think that blood tests should be used in people without these symptoms. Many clinicians felt that more research was needed to be sure about how helpful the blood tests are for patients, including research that includes groups of people who are often left out of research.
Dr Rodda explained, “This is particularly important for us in Kent, as we are collaborating with colleagues at University College London and around the UK as part of a major national study of the use of blood biomarkers in the NHS Memory Clinic, called the ADAPT study (Alzheimer’s disease Diagnosis and Plasma pTau 217). Many patients at memory clinics in Kent will soon have the opportunity to take part in ADAPT, which is funded by the Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK, and the players of the Postcode Lottery. ADAPT will help us to understand whether a blood test can help us to make a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease earlier and more accurately.”