Study finds 10% of over-70s in UK could have Alzheimer's-like changes in brain

"One in 10 people in the UK aged 70 and older could have Alzheimer's-like changes in their brain, according to the clearest, real-world picture of how common the disease's brain changes are in ordinary, older people. The detection of the proteins linked with the disease is not a diagnosis. But the findings indicate that more than 1 million over-70s would meet Nice's clinical criteria for anti-amyloid therapy a stark contrast to the 70,000 people the NHS has estimated could be eligible if funding were available."

"Dag Aarsland, a professor of old age psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King's College London and the study's lead author, said: In an ageing global population, the assessment and treatment of dementia presents a significant challenge. Our study used a simple blood test to establish changes that contribute to cognitive impairment in those with dementia"

Population-based blood testing detected Alzheimer's-related proteins in about one in ten UK residents aged 70 and older. Detection of the proteins is not a diagnosis but suggests that more than one million over-70s would meet NICE clinical criteria for anti-amyloid therapy, far exceeding the NHS estimate of roughly 70,000. Population-based sampling provides clearer, real-world prevalence data compared with small clinic-based samples or research cohorts. Blood biomarkers offer potential for earlier and more accurate diagnosis and challenge assumptions such as dementia predominantly affecting women. Additional high-quality evidence is needed before routine NHS implementation.

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