New study identifies blood proteins linked to increased dementia risk

Researchers have identified key blood proteins that are linked to an increased risk of developing dementia, offering new insights into early detection and potential treatment strategies.

The study, published in Brain Communications, used data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) and UK Biobank to investigate the relationship between specific proteins and dementia risk, using a data-driven approach.

The research analysed blood samples from over 3,200 older adults in ELSA in 276 proteins and validated the findings in more than 50,000 participants from UK Biobank. It identified two proteins (NEFL and RPS6KB) as being strongly associated with all-cause dementia, with higher levels of these proteins linked to a significantly greater risk of developing the condition.

Another protein, MMP12, was found to be linked to a greater risk of vascular dementia. The study also highlighted potential sex differences, with RPS6KB1 showing a stronger association with dementia in men than in women.

To further explore whether these proteins play a direct role in causing dementia, researchers used Mendelian randomisation, a method that uses genetic differences to assess cause and effect. The results suggested that while some proteins serve as early indicators of dementia, they may not directly cause the disease. Instead, they could reflect underlying biological processes that contribute to dementia.

Dr Jessica Gong, lead author of the study from University College London, said: "Our findings suggest that certain blood proteins could act as early warning signs for dementia, helping to identify individuals at higher risk before symptoms appear. This could open new possibilities for early interventions and targeted treatments."

The study adds to growing evidence that blood-based biomarkers could be used in the future to improve dementia diagnosis and risk prediction. Policymakers and healthcare professionals are encouraged to consider the potential of blood tests as part of routine dementia screening, particularly for individuals at higher risk due to genetic or lifestyle factors.

For more details on the research, visit the ELSA website.

Reference Gong, J., Williams, D. M., Scholes, S., Assaad, S., Bu, F., Hayat, S., Zaninotto, P., & Steptoe, A. (2025). Unravelling the role of proteins in dementia: Insights from two UK cohorts with causal evidence. Brain Communications. https://doi.org/10.1093/braincomms/fcaf097