Researchers to test simple finger-prick blood test to spot early signs of Alzheimer’s
Explainer
Alzheimer's Research UK
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On 19 January 2026
What if screening for the diseases that cause dementia could start with something as quick as a finger-prick blood test?
An international study involving 1,000 people in the UK, USA and Canada is now underway to answer this question. Scientist are investigating if a simple, low-cost finger-prick blood test could help diagnose the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms begin.
The Bio-Hermes-002 study will explore if the test could be used widely, offering a faster and more accessible route to diagnosis than current methods.
Find out more about the Bio-Hermes-002 study, the future of blood tests and what this could mean for screening and diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease in the future below.
Current struggles to offer timely diagnosis
Despite dementia being the biggest killer in the UK, one in three people are living with dementia without a formal diagnosis. Too many people wait long periods to receive a diagnosis.
Overstretched dementia services struggle to keep up with the growing demand for diagnosis. This has led to a post code lottery in who gets a diagnosis and many people wait years for one. Our recent study found that around one-in-five (22%) people with dementia were for a diagnosis after first seeing their GP.
Diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia, usually happens based on memory and thinking tests and an assessment of someone’s symptoms.
The most accurate diagnoses are made using expensive brain scans or invasive lumbar punctures. These tests are usually done in hospitals. Many teams caring for people with dementia are unable to offer these tests.
Why a test like this could improve diagnosis of Alzheimer’s
This new study will check for the presence in a person’s blood of three key proteins often found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s – pTau217, GFAP and NfL.
The researchers will compare the finger-prick blood test to current gold standard diagnostic testing for Alzheimer’s disease. If the study is successful, such an approach could pave the way for screening for the disease, which could enable earlier intervention than is currently possible.
Similar prick-tests are used now in the NHS for screening – for instance the newborn heel prick blood test, where a sample of blood is taken to screen babies for several rare but serious conditions.
The test being investigated in the Bio-Hermes-002 study could be quicker, more affordable and available to far more people than what’s currently available.
Among the test’s advantages, are that the blood samples don’t need refrigeration compared with conventional blood tests. Because they can be cheaper than current ways of testing for Alzheimer’s.
The largest and most diverse study of its kind
The study aims to recruit 1,000 volunteers across the UK, USA and Canada. So far, up, including individuals with no symptoms, those with mild cognitive impairment and people with early Alzheimer’s.
At least 25% of participants will come from under-represented communities. This is vital for closing long-standing gaps in dementia research as people from non-white backgrounds are significantly under-represented in clinical studies. That is despite the fact that some ethnicities are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s.
The study, which is being led by LifeArc and the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation (GAP), with support from the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), is expected to complete in 2028.
Why this research matters
Getting an early and accurate diagnosis of dementia is critical. A diagnosis gives people the answers they need and unlocks support and care.
Having, including if it works in a diverse UK population; findings from the Bio-Hermes-002 will be a critical first step.
Alzheimer’s Research UK is also supporting the Blood Biomarker Challenge, a multi-million-pound programme aiming to revolutionise dementia diagnosis by introducing blood tests into the NHS by 2029. The ADAPT and READ OUT studies are currently looking at an array of blood tests that could help diagnose Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia earlier and as accurately as current tests.
Dr Susan Kohlhaas, Executive Director of Research & Partnerships at Alzheimer’s Research UK, says: “We know changes to the brain that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease can begin up to 15 years before memory problems are detected, creating a long window where the disease is present but unseen.
“As dementia research moves towards earlier detection and diagnosis, it is increasingly important to be able to identify people who may be at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s, so they can be offered further assessment and the opportunity to take part in research.
“With more clinical trials now focusing on the earliest stages of disease and even prevention in some cases, scalable screening approaches like this could one day play a vital role in making that possible.”
If you have questions about dementia or getting a diagnosis you can contact the Dementia Research Infoline on 0300 111 5111 or email infoline@alzheimersresearchuk.org
About the author
Alzheimer's Research UK
I can’t see there being much demand to find out if you have, or are going to get, a disease for which there is currently no effective prevention or treatment.
Why would anyone want to be miserable for years knowing what was coming?
People can already implement all the lifestyle measures themselves whilst maintaining the hope that they won’t get it.
I would only have such a test if it was going to result in treatment to alter the trajectory.
I have MCI, and would be interested in a trial if any available.
I have multiple health problems on top, all of which affect my memory.
I would really appreciate any help or input.
Thank you!
Hi Teresa, thank you for your comment. We are sorry to hear about your diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
For more information on MCI, please visit here: https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/dementia-information/types-of-dementia/mild-cognitive-impairment/
Thank you for your interest in taking part in dementia research studies. It’s people like you who will make finding a cure for dementia possible.
The best way to find out about this is through an NHS service called Join Dementia Research. You can find out more on our website: https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/research/getting-involved-in-research/
If you would prefer to talk to someone and sign up over the phone, you can give us a call on 0300 111 5111.
If you’d like more information specifically about this finger-prick blood test, please contact our Dementia Research Infoline at infoline@alzheimersresearchuk.org
I understand what you’re saying C, but as someone who has a huge genetic history of dementia, I’d jump to have a test…
I know that there’s no cure, but I could, if I found out I had a chance of developing it start to plan my own choice of death.
I’m a real believer in death choice and having support from a medical practitioner could be the only way for me to have a say in my experience of the disease.
Access to early diagnosis can help people to stay in their own home with support, in our experience my brothers deteriorated since September 2025. Resulted in falls at home, including a fractured collarbone in three places
💯 agree!! Can see this has not been replied to, why on earth would you want a death sentence hanging over your head
Thank you for your comment. There are currently several trials across the UK that are looking to develop blood tests to diagnose dementia in people with symptoms.
Currently, they are not being tested as predictive tools to see who may develop dementia in the future. If you have any further questions about diagnosing dementia, please feel free to contact our Infoline 0300 111 5111 (9-5pm Monday-Friday)
I would be interested in being considered for any future studies. Both my grandmother and mother were diagnosed with Alzheimer.
Hi John, we are sorry to hear about your family history of Alzheimer’s disease.
Thank you for your interest in taking part in dementia research studies. It’s people like you who will make finding a cure for dementia possible.
The best way to find out about this is through an NHS service called Join Dementia Research. You can find out more on our website: https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/research/getting-involved-in-research/
If you would prefer to talk to someone and sign up over the phone, you can give us a call on 0300 111 5111.
Absolutely the same situation John. At the back of my mind I wonder if its hereditary through genes, or whether it can only affect the female side of my blood family? Needless to say I would DEFINITELY be interested in any future studies as well, particularly as it appears to have carried through 2 generations (both in their late 70s) in direct blood line, with perhaps an ongoing effect into a 3rd generation!
Hi Angus, thank you for your comment. We are sorry to hear about your family history of Alzheimer’s disease.
As the diseases that cause dementia are very common, it is not unheard of to have multiple family members affected by dementia. However, directly inherited dementia is very rare, accounting for around one in 100 cases. This is where multiple people in the same blood line across generations are affected the same disease (such as Alzheimer’s or frontotemporal dementia), often in their 40’s and 50’s. If this describes your family, you can talk to your GP about genetic counselling and testing.
Most dementia cases are caused by a mixture of factors including our age, genetics, lifestyle, and environment.
You can find out more about genes and dementia here: https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/dementia-information/genes-and-dementia/
You may also find this webpage on sex, gender and dementia interesting: https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/dementia-information/dementia-risk/sex-gender-and-dementia/
Thank you for your interest in taking part in dementia research studies. It’s people like you who will make finding a cure for dementia possible. The best way to find out about this is through an NHS service called Join Dementia Research. You can find out more on our website: https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/research/getting-involved-in-research/
If you would prefer to talk to someone and sign up over the phone, you can give us a call on 0300 111 5111.
I would like to take part in studies for dementia
Hi Thomas,
Thank you for your interest in taking part in dementia research studies. It’s people like you who will make finding a cure for dementia possible. The best way to find out about this is through an NHS service called Join Dementia Research. You can find out more on our website: https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/research/getting-involved-in-research/
If you would prefer to talk to someone and sign up over the phone, you can give us a call on 0300 111 5111.
Thank you for this useful information. My husband went into a care home almost a year ago suffering from Alzheimer’s so I know how important this research is. I am 81 so probably too old to be involved in these research programmes so I thank all participants for what they are doing.
Hi Christina, thank you for your comment. We are sorry to hear about your husband’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
In fact, anyone over the age of 18 can take part in dementia research studies and there is no upper age limit.
The best way to find out about this is through an NHS service called Join Dementia Research. You can find out more on our website: https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/research/getting-involved-in-research/
If you would prefer to talk to someone and sign up over the phone, you can give us a call on 0300 111 5111.
My husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2022. My 2 children are in their mid thirties and are interested to take part in your research.
Please keep us updated.
Kind regards,
Phebe
Hi Phebe, thank you for your comment. We are sorry to hear about your husband’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
Thank you for your interest in taking part in dementia research studies. It’s people like you who will make finding a cure for dementia possible.
The best way to find out about this is through an NHS service called Join Dementia Research. You can find out more on our website: https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/research/getting-involved-in-research/
If your children would prefer to talk to someone and sign up over the phone, they can give us a call on 0300 111 5111.
I would like this test as both my parents had dementia.
Hi Sarifa, thank you for your comment. We are sorry to hear about your family’s experience of dementia.
If you’d like more information about this finger-prick blood test, please contact our Dementia Research Infoline on 0300 111 5111 or infoline@alzheimersresearchuk.org
Hi, my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at 51 years old. This was about 43 years ago when I was a teenager. I understand that it’s scary to know if you are more susceptible to know if you may get this, but knowing that you have possible chance just puts in place the things you want you family to do for you. My dad never really had a choice in what he wanted in his final years, but if knowing he would have this disease many things would have been different. Thankfully with the experience of caring for my father for many years, alongside with my family, I have put into place my wishes. Also if I can help with a simple finger prick test, of course I will.
Hi Andrea, thank you for your comment. We are sorry to hear about your dad’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
If you’d like more information about this finger-prick blood test, please contact our Dementia Research Infoline on 0300 111 5111 or infoline@alzheimersresearchuk.org
This sounds a useful blood check. Hopefully it will lead to an earlier diagnosis.
Hi, just left you an email. Did you receive it?
Hi June, thank you for contacting us.
We haven’t yet received an email. If you want to send this to our Dementia Research Infoline at infoline@alzheimersresearchuk.org we will get back to you.
Thanks!