DPUK action to revolutionise dementia diagnosis rates through READ-OUT Project

READ-OUT (REAl-world Dementia OUTcomes) is part of the Blood Biomarker Challenge which aims to capitalise on recent breakthroughs in potential dementia blood tests, and generate the evidence needed for them to be validated for use in the NHS within the next 5 years.

READ-OUT was awarded £4.5 million by the Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK and the National Institute for Health and Care Research and Gates Ventures including £5m raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. The project aims to revolutionise dementia diagnosis.

What is the purpose of the study?

The study is undertaking broad, nationwide blood sampling at 28 sites across the UK to understand which biomarkers perform the best in diagnosing Alzheimer’s and non-Alzheimer's dementias. 

It will assist the NHS by researching how biomarker testing can be implemented sustainably and at scale as well as considering the cost-saving benefits of large volume biomarker testing. 

For clinicians and the NHS, it will them to understand the best type of biomarker assessment having studied approaches with volunteers across the UK. This will include use of postal bloods tests and how assay testing can be rolled out across the UK.  during the programme, a bus will be deployed to include hard-to-reach populations, ensuring full diversity is represented.

The 5 year Programme 

The READ-OUT team (REAl World Dementia OUTcomes) for the first 3 years will run a fact-finding study that will take blood tests in around at least 28 Dementias Platform UK sites across the UK, involving 3000 people from diverse populations.

In the final 2 years, the team will run a clinical trial with 880 people to explore how having a blood test for dementia affects diagnosis and quality of life, patients and carers, impact on care and how the results should be communicated to patients.