Glasgow-headquartered research clinic NeuroClin has partnered with advanced diagnostics group Advance Tests to bring to market Scotland’s first commercially available, blood biomarker test for the detection of early Alzheimer’s.
Formerly known as Glasgow Memory Clinic, NeuroClin has been at the forefront of Alzheimer’s research for 25 years.
Designed for people with symptoms of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), the groundbreaking test (LucentAD Complete) helps determine whether these symptoms are likely due to Alzheimer’s.
The launch marks the first time a clinically validated blood test for Alzheimer’s is available in Scotland, outside of a research trial setting, and comes after recent widespread national coverage of NHS clinical trials exploring single-marker biomarker tests.
The test, developed by US Biotech innovators Lucent Diagnostics, is already in widespread use across the
United States, supported by multiple peer-reviewed studies and now covered by the Medicare system in the USA.
Henry Simmons, Chief Executive at Alzheimer’s Scotland, said: “While we wish blood biomarker tests were routinely available on the NHS, this is not yet the case.
“We welcome NeuroClin taking the lead in offering this service in Scotland, as earlier diagnosis can help people and families get answers sooner, plan ahead, and access the right support and emerging treatments.
“It is crucial, however, that people receive ongoing advice and support beyond these initial stages, and that we provide the highest level of brain health care consistently across Scotland.
“We also hope that the lessons learned from the experiences of those who choose this path can be applied across the NHS quickly, so that more people benefit as new approaches are developed.”
Dr Jennifer Lynch, Medical Director at NeuroClin, said: “We know that changes in the brain linked to Alzheimer’s begin years before symptoms appear.
“This new blood biomarker test helps us detect potential Alzheimer’s earlier, giving people access to lifestyle advice, and access to new disease modifying treatments or research opportunities.
“We’re excited about this progress and believe earlier diagnosis and greater awareness will lead to better outcomes for patients and families.”
Dr Simon Worrell, Founder and Chief Medical Officer at Advance Tests, said: “Bringing this diagnostic test to Scotland for the first time is a major milestone – not just for Advance Tests, but for patients and clinicians across the country.
“We are witnessing a rare and important moment in health innovation, where breakthroughs in diagnostics are aligned with breakthroughs in treatment. With newly approved drugs now available, and growing evidence that early lifestyle changes can delay progression, early diagnosis has never been more valuable.
“This is about giving people time – time to act, time to plan, and time to hope.”