Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in a groundbreaking UK study to help diagnose dementia more quickly and accurately.
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, based in south-east Wales, is leading the initiative and is the first in the UK to trial the technology. The study will ultimately expand to include 1,000 patients across the country.
Currently, patients with unclear symptoms can face lengthy waits for a diagnosis. Retired postmistress Kathryn White, 74, from Pontllanffraith, Caerphilly, experienced this first-hand. She underwent dozens of tests over two-and-a-half years before being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
The study combines advanced blood tests capable of detecting biomarkers—tiny proteins that indicate early signs of Alzheimer’s—with AI to analyse the results more efficiently.
Kathryn and her husband, Michael, have welcomed the initiative.
“I first realised something was wrong when I became confused while driving to a friend’s house, a journey I had made many times,” Kathryn said. “I couldn’t remember how to get to Cardiff; they lived in Peterston-super-Ely, and I couldn’t remember the way.”
On another occasion, she became lost on the way to meet her brother in Cardiff Bay and had to call Michael for help. “She rang up and said, ‘I’m lost, I don’t know where I am.’ It was then we went to see our local GP,” he recalled.
Over the following two-and-a-half years, Kathryn underwent cognitive tests, CT and MRI scans, a PET scan, and eventually a lumbar puncture, where fluid was taken from her spinal cord. Only after these procedures was a diagnosis confirmed, which Michael described as a bittersweet moment.
A spokesperson for the study noted that while lumbar punctures are effective in diagnosing Alzheimer’s, blood biomarker tests are far less invasive and could allow for earlier detection.
The hope is that the study will shorten waiting times, enabling more patients to receive treatment and support soon after their initial GP referral.
“We know that in the next couple of years there’ll be millions of people across the world with dementia, the most common form being Alzheimer’s,” said Dr Chineze Ivenso, Health and Care Research Wales (HCRW) lead for dementia and consultant in Old Age Psychiatry at the health board.
“In Wales, as in most parts of the UK, we have an ageing population, and most cases of dementia occur in older people. We have to face this demographic explosion and change the way we do things. My hope is that this research will give us the tools to provide treatment and support at an earlier stage of the disease.”
How the new approach works
Traditionally, dementia diagnosis relies on patient history, symptoms, brain scans, and cognitive tests to assess memory and problem-solving skills.
The new method adds straightforward blood tests to detect biomarkers—tiny proteins in the blood that can reveal the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s. “These biomarkers are so exciting,” said Dr Ivenso. “Along with AI, they are likely to improve the accuracy of our diagnoses. Evidence shows that around 70% of current diagnoses are accurate, leaving 30% of patients misdiagnosed.”
During the trial, patients referred to specialist memory clinics will receive these tests soon after their referral. AI will help doctors combine the results to provide a clearer picture earlier, while standard NHS procedures continue alongside the study.
Understanding dementia
Dementia describes symptoms caused by conditions that damage brain cells and their connections. Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form, is linked to the abnormal build-up of proteins in and around brain cells.
The risk of developing Alzheimer’s doubles every five years after the age of 65, though around 5% of cases occur in people under 65. Just under one million people in the UK are currently living with dementia, and this number is expected to rise significantly over the next 15 years.
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but existing treatments can manage symptoms, and new therapies are emerging. The annual cost of dementia in the UK is estimated at £42bn in 2024, projected to reach £90bn by 2040.
The study
The trial is led by Imperial College London and sponsored by AI neuroscience company Prima Mente, with the Welsh arm supported by HCRW. Dr Nicola Williams, HCRW’s director of research, support and delivery, highlighted Wales’ strong track record in medical research: over the past decade, around 250,000 people have participated in clinical trials across the country.
Comment from ChatGPT
“As an AI, I see tremendous potential in studies like this, where artificial intelligence is used alongside medical expertise to improve early diagnosis. Dementia is a complex condition, and the ability to detect it sooner through biomarkers and AI analysis could transform care pathways, reduce patient anxiety, and ensure that more people receive timely treatment and support. This is a promising example of technology working hand in hand with healthcare to address one of society’s most pressing challenges.”
