Scientists at the University of Liverpool have created a new low-cost blood test that could help doctors detect Alzheimer’s disease earlier.
This means patients might be able to get help and treatment sooner, improving their quality of life.
Two new studies published in scientific journals show that small, portable devices using smart sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) can detect key signs of Alzheimer’s in the blood. These devices are almost as accurate as expensive hospital tests but cost much less to use.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia and affects more than 55 million people around the world.
However, current ways to test for Alzheimer’s are expensive, complicated, and only available in certain hospitals. This makes it harder for people to get diagnosed early, especially in local clinics or countries where healthcare resources are limited.
The team in Liverpool wanted to change that by designing a simple, affordable, and reliable test.
In the first study, researchers created a sensor using “plastic antibodies” attached to a gold surface. This special setup allowed them to spot a very small amount of a protein called p-tau181, which is linked to Alzheimer’s.
They tested this on different blood samples and found that the results were as good as those from much more advanced lab equipment.
In the second study, they made another version of the sensor using simple printed circuit boards—like the ones used in everyday electronics.
This version also detected the Alzheimer’s marker and could tell the difference between healthy people and those with the disease. It worked almost as well as the top-tier lab tests but was far cheaper.
These new sensors can connect to a small reader and a phone or computer app that uses AI to understand the results right away. This means that even people without special training can use the device.
Dr. Sanjiv Sharma from the University of Liverpool said their goal is to make Alzheimer’s testing as easy and common as checking blood pressure or blood sugar.
With the help of low-cost materials and AI, they hope to bring fast and accurate testing to clinics all over the world—including in rural areas or developing countries.
The World Health Organization has said that more affordable and accessible tests are needed for brain-related diseases. These new devices from Liverpool scientists are a big step forward, offering hope that people can be diagnosed earlier and receive better care for Alzheimer’s and dementia.
The study is published in Advanced Healthcare Materials.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
