DEMENTIA LANDMARK

New £6 million study into Alzheimer’s hopes to spot disease before symptoms appear

The British study will use 250 volunteers in the most advanced research project into the disease

PAT HAGAN

Published: 2:01, 22 Aug 2016

A MAJOR British study aims to spot Alzheimer’s before symptoms appear.

The £6million probe will involve looking for biomarkers — chemical signs in the blood — that the incurable disease is beginning to set in.

The study will track changes in the the blood of volunteers who are at risk of the condition — The study will track changes in the the blood of volunteers who are at risk of the conditionCredit: Getty Images

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Around 250 at-risk volunteers will undergo the most thorough tests ever performed in research into the condition.

Changes in the brain can start years before any symptoms appear.

If successful patients could be medically helped before their condition is too advanced — If successful patients could be medically helped before their condition is too advancedCredit: Getty Images

The number of people suffering from the disease is forecast to hit one million by 2025 — The number of people suffering from the disease is forecast to hit one million by 2025Credit: Getty Images

Boffins hope the research which will allow Alzheimer's patients to try new treatments before their condition is too advanced.

The Alzheimer’s Society’s Matt Murray said: “This will help transform our understanding of the symptoms of dementia.”

Alzheimer's currently affects 850,000 Brits.

That is predicted to rise to one million by 2025 and two million by 2050.

The study is being funded by the Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health Research.

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