Scientists from the University of Cambridge Open Network for Frontotemporal dementia Inflammation Research (ON-FIRE) study are trialling blood tests across the UK with the aim of detecting early signs of dementia that could help identify treatments.
The new trial will focus on frontotemporal dementia but aims to help accelerate the development of treatments for other types of dementia as well. Over twenty research and healthcare centres across the UK will be used for the trial, including those in remote areas that are often under-represented in clinical studies.
The research is being led by Dr Maura Malpetti, Senior Research Associate in Cambridge’s Department of Clinical Neurosciences, who says:
“It’s a very exciting programme because we’re using blood tests to help unlock treatments to slow down the progression of dementia and eventually stop it. It’s also much easier for the patient than a brain scan. We’re focusing on changes to the brain which can manifest 10-20 years before symptoms, with the hope that in the future we can treat them early enough to stop the disease before symptoms occur.”
Dr Malpetti received the Race Against Dementia Fellowship in 2021. Race Against Dementia was established by multi-Formula One World Championship winner Sir Jackie Stewart OBE following his wife Helen’s diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia.
Sir Jackie says:
“At Race Against Dementia, our mission is to accelerate the speed of successful dementia research. Dr Malpetti’s ground-breaking work involving a blood test which could detect dementia at a quicker pace, demonstrates our philosophy. Thus by applying the principles of precision, teamwork, and inventiveness from Formula 1 into the world of medical research, we can more efficiently drive progress towards a cure for dementia.”
Find out more about the ON-FIRE study here: https://on-fire.org.uk
Find out more about Race Against Dementia here: https://www.raceagainstdementia.com