Getting an Alzheimer's test in the UK no longer means waiting for symptoms to become impossible to ignore. The LucentAD pTau217 blood test, available at Goodbody Clinics nationwide from £449, measures a biological marker strongly associated with Alzheimer's pathology from a simple blood draw, and it is making national headlines. In today's Times, DJ and presenter Jules Cameron, 39, explains why she took the test after losing her father to the disease. Here is her story, what the test actually measures, and how to decide whether it is right for you.
In this article
- Why did a fit and healthy 39 year old take an Alzheimer's test?
- What is the LucentAD pTau217 blood test?
- How does a blood test compare with other Alzheimer's tests?
- What do the results look like?
- How can you get an Alzheimer's test in the UK?
- FAQ
Why did a fit and healthy 39 year old take an Alzheimer's test?
In a feature published in The Times on 27 July 2026, "I'm 39, a fit and healthy Ibiza DJ. Here's why I had an Alzheimer's test", DJ and presenter Jules Cameron tells journalist Anna Maxted about watching her father Ewen, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, live with Alzheimer's for a decade before his death earlier this year.
"I watched someone I love slowly disappear, while still being here. And that stays with you," Cameron told The Times. Like many people with a close family history, she found the worry followed her into everyday life: "When I'm losing things I think, 'It's probably Alzheimer's'."
Rather than live with the question, she booked the LucentAD pTau217 blood test at Goodbody Clinics. As she put it in the piece, "It's just amazing that this test gives people the opportunity to detect signs of it really early."
What is the LucentAD pTau217 blood test?
The test measures pTau217, a protein marker in the blood. Elevated levels are strongly associated with the amyloid plaques that are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. It is a standard, non-invasive blood draw taken in clinic or at home, so there is no scan and no needle in the spine.
One thing worth being clear about, because The Times was too: the test is designed to support clinical assessment by a healthcare professional where there are concerns about memory or cognition. It indicates whether amyloid pathology is likely or unlikely. It is not, on its own, a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
A simple, non-invasive blood test measuring pTau217 to support the early assessment of Alzheimer's disease. In clinic or with a home nurse visit.
How does a blood test compare with other Alzheimer's tests?
Until recently, confirming the biological signs of Alzheimer's meant either specialist brain imaging or a lumbar puncture. As The Times reports, evidence suggests blood tests targeting pTau217 are as accurate as amyloid PET scans and lumbar punctures, offering a faster, less invasive and more accessible alternative.
| Approach | What it involves | Invasiveness | Accessibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| pTau217 blood test | Standard blood draw, in clinic or at home | Minimal | Bookable at clinics nationwide |
| Amyloid PET scan | Specialist brain imaging with a tracer | Low, but involves imaging | Limited specialist availability |
| Lumbar puncture | Spinal fluid sample taken by needle | Invasive | Hospital procedure |
The science is moving into the mainstream. The Times notes that a similar pTau217 blood test is currently in clinical trials led by UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, with 1,100 participants recruited from 20 NHS memory clinics, to demonstrate that it is accurate, cost-effective and suitable for routine NHS memory services.
What do the results look like?
Results are reported as the concentration of pTau217 in your sample, in picograms per millilitre, banded as low (0.040 pg/ml or less), intermediate (0.041 to 0.069 pg/ml) or high (0.090 pg/ml or more) likelihood of amyloid pathology. In The Times feature, Cameron's result came back low at 0.016 pg/ml. "It's a relief to hear I don't have high levels," she said, adding that the test "has given me some relief."
Every result comes with guidance, and Goodbody is upfront about the boundaries: the report should be interpreted by your medical professional alongside your symptoms, medical history, cognitive assessment and any other relevant investigations. A low result is reassuring, and a raised result is a prompt for a proper clinical conversation, not a verdict.
How can you get an Alzheimer's test in the UK?
If you have memory symptoms, your first stop should be your GP, who can refer you to an NHS memory clinic for a full assessment at no cost. Be aware that the pathway can be slow: according to Alzheimer's Research UK figures cited in The Times, 22 per cent of people experience more than a two year wait for a diagnosis after first going to their GP with symptoms.
A private pTau217 blood test is an option if you want an earlier, data-driven starting point, particularly if Alzheimer's runs in your family and the uncertainty weighs on you the way it did for Cameron. You can book the LucentAD pTau217 test at a Goodbody clinic near you from £449, with a home nurse visit available. For the fuller picture on the science, our guide Can a Blood Test Detect Alzheimer's? goes deeper, and Alzheimer's Research UK and the NHS Alzheimer's guide are excellent independent resources.
And if you are thinking about brain health as part of the bigger picture, from cholesterol to vitamins, a broader panel can be a sensible place to start.
61 key health biomarkers in one professional blood draw, covering heart, liver, hormone and vitamin markers.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Alzheimer's blood test cost in the UK?
The LucentAD pTau217 test at Goodbody Clinics costs from £449 if you organise your own blood collection, £479 with the blood draw taken by a professional in clinic, or £499 with a home nurse visit. NHS assessment via your GP and a memory clinic is free but can involve long waits.
Can a blood test diagnose Alzheimer's disease?
No. A pTau217 blood test indicates whether amyloid pathology, a hallmark of Alzheimer's, is likely or unlikely. Diagnosis requires a broader clinical assessment by a healthcare professional, taking in your symptoms, history and cognitive testing. The blood test is one component that can make that process earlier and easier.
What is pTau217?
pTau217 is a form of tau protein that can be measured in blood. Research shows elevated levels are strongly associated with the amyloid plaques found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease, which is why it has become one of the most promising blood markers for early assessment.
Who should consider a pTau217 test?
It is designed for people with concerns about their memory or cognition, including those with a family history of Alzheimer's who want an early, objective data point. If you have no symptoms and no particular risk factors, speak to your GP about whether testing is right for you.
How long do results take?
Results are delivered securely by email once laboratory analysis is complete. In The Times feature, Jules Cameron received her results ten days after her test, along with a letter explaining exactly what her numbers meant.
Stop wondering. Start knowing.
Book the LucentAD pTau217 Alzheimer's blood test, as featured in The Times, at a Goodbody clinic near you or with a home nurse visit.
Book your test →Clinics nationwide · Home nurse visits available · Know more. Live better.
This article is general information, not medical advice. The pTau217 test supports clinical assessment and is not a diagnosis on its own. If you are worried about your memory or a loved one's, please speak to your GP. Quotes and reporting referenced above are from The Times, 27 July 2026.