A new national research challenge is set to transform the way dementia is diagnosed and treated, drawing on advances in science and technology to speed up detection and improve care by the end of the decade.
The Dementia Patient Flow R&I Challenge, announced this week at the UK Dementia Research Institute in Cambridge, will provide £5 million in initial funding for researchers and industry partners to develop innovative methods for faster and more accurate dementia diagnosis.
The initiative aims to ensure that by 2029 more than 92 percent of patients are diagnosed within 18 weeks of a doctor’s referral, compared with less than half at present. With around one million people in the UK currently living with dementia, and that number expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040, the new challenge is intended to improve quality of life for those affected while easing pressure on NHS services.
Researchers are being encouraged to develop technologies that can detect the disease earlier, including blood and saliva tests that identify biomarkers linked to dementia before symptoms appear, as well as AI-based systems to assist with daily routines and cognitive support.
Possible advances could include blood tests that detect protein build-ups associated with Alzheimer’s disease, saliva analysis that tracks hormonal changes linked to memory decline, and AI-powered home devices that learn an individual’s habits, provide reminders, and connect them with family and healthcare providers.
With one in four hospital beds in England currently occupied by someone living with dementia, it is hoped that these innovations will allow more people to receive care in their communities and help reduce hospital admissions.
The Dementia Patient Flow R&I Challenge is the third of five major missions under the government’s R&D Missions Accelerator Programme, a £500 million initiative supporting research and innovation to address key national challenges. The programme is coordinated by UK Research and Innovation, in partnership with the National Institute for Health and Care Research and other organisations.
In addition to the main challenge, UKRI announced £1.2 million in funding for two projects focused on digital cognitive assessments. One project, led by Kneu Health, a University of Oxford spinout, is developing smartphone-based testing that combines digital assessments with analysis of biomarkers to support earlier diagnosis. Another, led by the Food for the Brain Foundation, is creating web-based cognitive tests that measure thinking speed, memory, recognition, and decision-making, designed to integrate with NHS systems.
These projects build on existing initiatives such as the Blood Biomarker Challenge, which aims to provide clinical and economic evidence for the use of blood tests in dementia diagnosis, and the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Goals programme, which is accelerating progress in clinical trials and early detection technologies.
Professor Siddharthan Chandran, Director and CEO of the UK Dementia Research Institute, said the next five years would bring major progress in both therapeutics and diagnostics. “Precise, early diagnosis isn’t just about information, it’s about giving people access to emerging clinical trials and treatments that offer real hope,” he said. “But we must ensure these advances reach all corners of society, from simple blood tests at the GP to digital assessments on your phone.”
Hilary Evans-Newton, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, welcomed the announcement. “Hundreds of thousands of people living with dementia are still missing out on a diagnosis and the support it brings,” she said. “Innovations like blood tests, digital assessments and retinal scans are offering real hope and will soon be part of everyday care.”
Richard Oakley, Associate Director of Research and Innovation at Alzheimer’s Society, said the initiative would help address long-standing delays in diagnosis. “Dementia is the leading cause of death in the UK, yet more than a third of people with the condition remain undiagnosed,” he said. “By harnessing technology and research, we can move toward a future where everyone has access to an early and accurate diagnosis.”
Dr Hilda Hayo, Chief Admiral Nurse and CEO of Dementia UK, said faster and more reliable diagnosis could make a significant difference for families. “Early detection, combined with clear routes into the right care and support, means people can get help sooner,” she said. “That timely support can transform the way families live with and manage dementia.”
Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care, said continued investment in innovation would be crucial. “We know what a difference a high-quality and timely diagnosis can make,” she said. “This announcement demonstrates our drive to improve diagnosis and support for those living with dementia.”
As of June 2025, 46.8 percent of people referred for dementia assessment waited longer than 18 weeks for diagnosis. The new research and innovation challenge aims to reverse that trend through collaboration between scientists, clinicians and technology experts.
Background information notes that the R&D Missions Accelerator Programme includes five core missions, with up to £5 million allocated for the Dementia Patient Flow R&I Challenge in 2025–26. The initiative builds on national and international partnerships including the Dementias Platform UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Research, Alzheimer’s Research UK and Alzheimer’s Society.
