Earlier and more accurate diagnosis is one of the most urgent challenges in dementia care. The READ-OUT (REAl-world Dementia OUTcomes) study, led by Dementias Platform UK (DPUK), aims to address this by evaluating whether blood-based biomarker tests can be safely, accurately, and effectively used to diagnose dementia within real world NHS settings.
ReMind UK is proud to be a research site for READ-OUT, supporting the delivery of this vital study locally and helping people with memory concerns take part in research in a supportive environment. Volunteers play a crucial role in advancing understanding, shaping future diagnostic practice, and ensuring new approaches are grounded in lived experience.
Martin, who volunteered for the study through ReMind UK, shared in an interview with the BBC, how meaningful it would be to better understand the changes he has noticed in his memory, something that a simple blood test could help to clarify. His involvement highlights the essential role that people with lived experience play in advancing dementia research.
If I can find that out by a simple blood test, that either there's nothing to worry about, or perhaps we should look at this more deeply. If that gives people the ability to do that, it's brilliant
Part of the national Blood Biomarker Challenge, READ-OUT is one of the largest studies of its kind in the UK. Over five years, the project will assess which blood biomarkers are most reliable for identifying Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, how these tests affect clinical decision-making, and what impact earlier diagnosis has on people’s quality of life and access to care.
At ReMind UK, research underpins our work in diagnosis and post-diagnostic support. Studies like READ-OUT bring us closer to a future where dementia can be identified earlier, treated more effectively, and supported more compassionately, improving outcomes for individuals, families and communities.
To learn more about dementia research or taking part in studies through ReMind UK, visit our research pages or contact the team.
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