A collaboration between University Hospital Southampton and the University of Southampton on a new laser-based test to diagnose dementia has reported 93% accuracy in the 150 people who’ve been initially assessed.
The test is being developed under the Holistic Optical Biomarkers to Transform Dementia Diagnosis (HOpE) project, and is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Professor Chris Kipps, Consultant Neurologist at University Hospital Southampton says:
“The slow progression of dementia, with a long pre-symptomatic phase, presents a formidable challenge in early diagnosis. This laser-based technique could change the way we approach dementia diagnosis and may significantly improve affordability and efficiency of current biomarker analysis. It represents a breakthrough in medical technology.”
Clinical trials are yet to begin, but the hope is that this test may be available within GP practices in the future.
You can find out more here: https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/whats-new/press-releases/scientists-develop-pioneering-diagnostic-laser-test-for-dementia