Concerned about memory loss? The LucentAD® blood test can detect Alzheimer's amyloid pathology from a simple blood sample — no lumbar puncture, no PET scan, no NHS waiting list.
Why Test Early?
Alzheimer's disease affects over 900,000 people in the UK and is the leading cause of dementia. For decades, confirming Alzheimer's pathology required an invasive lumbar puncture to sample cerebrospinal fluid, or an expensive PET brain scan costing upwards of £3,000. Both were largely unavailable outside major academic centres.
That has changed. The LucentAD® platform — developed by Quanterix Corporation and validated in over 1,000 patients across three independent international cohorts — can now detect the presence of amyloid plaques in the brain from a simple venous blood sample. Lambert Medical Practice is pleased to offer access to this technology at our Surbiton clinic through our partnership with Advance Tests, the UK's exclusive distributor of LucentAD®.
The MHRA recently approved two disease-modifying Alzheimer's drugs — lecanemab (Leqembi) and donanemab (Kisunla) — which can slow progression of early Alzheimer's disease. Both drugs target amyloid plaques and are most effective at the earliest stages, before significant neurological damage has occurred. These are not yet available on the NHS, but can be accessed privately. A blood-based amyloid test is therefore the critical first step in identifying who may benefit.
The test measures five specific biomarkers in your blood plasma, all of which are associated with Alzheimer's pathology. These are combined using a validated multi-variate algorithm to generate a single Amyloid Risk Score from 0 to 100.
The five biomarkers measured:
pTau217 (phosphorylated tau at amino acid 217) is the primary biomarker — the Alzheimer's Association Workgroup has identified it as the most accurate single blood-based biomarker for detecting amyloid pathology, comparable to CSF biomarker tests. The four additional markers reduce the proportion of uncertain intermediate results by approximately two-thirds.
Understanding Your Amyloid Risk Score
Score < 45 — Low Risk
Low likelihood of amyloid pathology. Alzheimer's is unlikely at this time. Your GP will investigate other potential causes of your symptoms.
Score 45–70 — Intermediate
Uncertain amyloid status. Affects ~10% of patients with LucentAD® Complete. Further investigation (PET scan or CSF test) may be recommended.
Score > 70 — High Risk
High likelihood of amyloid pathology, consistent with Alzheimer's disease. Does not in itself establish a diagnosis — your GP will discuss next steps and treatment options.
We offer two versions of the LucentAD® platform. For the most conclusive results, we recommend the Complete panel — which reduces ambiguous intermediate results to just 10% of patients.
Includes GP interpretation consultation
Includes GP interpretation consultation
Can be added to either LucentAD® test using the same blood sample. Analyses your APOE gene for the ε4 variant — the strongest known genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Also relevant for assessing side-effect risk from lecanemab and donanemab.
| Method | Accuracy | Invasiveness | Intermediate Rate | Cost (approx.) | Wait Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LucentAD® Complete | ~90% | Blood draw only | ~10% | £695 | 15 working days |
| LucentAD® pTau217 | ~90% (conclusive) | Blood draw only | ~30% | £490 | 15 working days |
| CSF Biomarker Test | High | Lumbar puncture | Low | >£3,000 | Weeks–months |
| Amyloid PET Scan | Very high | Radiation exposure | Low | >£3,000 | Weeks–months |
| NHS Memory Clinic Pathway | Variable | Multiple assessments | Variable | Free | Months–years |
LucentAD® Complete was developed and validated by Quanterix Corporation (CLIA-certified laboratory) across three large independent clinical cohorts totalling 1,082 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early Alzheimer's dementia. These included the Amsterdam Dementia Cohort (ADC), the BioHermes prospective multi-site trial (with emphasis on ethnic diversity), and the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) longitudinal cohort.
Overall accuracy across validation cohorts
Sensitivity for detecting amyloid pathology
Specificity (ruling out amyloid pathology)
Patients in combined validation cohorts
LucentAD® Complete is an aid in diagnostic evaluation, not a standalone diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Results are used alongside clinical assessment, cognitive evaluations, and other investigations. A GP consultation is included with every test to ensure results are interpreted correctly within the context of your individual clinical picture. An intermediate score may indicate the need for additional investigations such as a PET scan or CSF biomarker test.
The clinical landscape for Alzheimer's disease changed significantly when the MHRA approved two anti-amyloid drugs in the UK:
An anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody shown to slow cognitive decline by approximately 27% in patients with early symptomatic Alzheimer's. Works by targeting and clearing amyloid plaques. Requires positive amyloid status as a prerequisite for treatment.
A further anti-amyloid antibody demonstrating significant slowing of cognitive and functional decline. Particularly effective in patients with low-to-moderate tau burden. Like lecanemab, it requires confirmed amyloid pathology status before starting treatment.
Both of these drugs are not currently available through the NHS, but can be accessed privately. More importantly, both require confirmed amyloid-positive status before treatment can begin. The LucentAD® blood test is the fastest and least invasive way to establish this status — making it the essential first step for anyone who may be a candidate for these treatments.
"Having access to this sophisticated, non-invasive blood test is a game-changer for early Alzheimer's diagnosis in the UK. By simplifying diagnostics, we're helping more patients access critical care sooner, especially as new therapies for early-stage Alzheimer's are becoming available."
— Dr Karan Jutlla, Head of the Centre for Applied and Inclusive Health Research, University of Wolverhampton
Increasing forgetfulness, difficulty with familiar tasks, word-finding problems, or disorientation that is not explained by other factors.
A parent or sibling with Alzheimer's increases your risk. Early biomarker testing allows you to monitor status and plan appropriately.
If you or your specialist is considering lecanemab or donanemab, confirmed amyloid pathology is a prerequisite.
NHS memory clinic pathways can take many months. Our private test gives you a conclusive amyloid risk result within 15 working days of your blood draw.
If you already know you carry an APOE ε4 allele, monitoring blood biomarkers is increasingly recommended by neurologists as part of proactive cognitive health management.
A low-risk result rules out Alzheimer's amyloid pathology at this time, allowing you and your GP to investigate other causes — or simply providing peace of mind.
Book online or call 0208 133 5694. Your GP consultation helps confirm the test is appropriate for your symptoms and selects the right panel (Complete, Standalone, or with APOE).
A standard venous blood sample is taken by our trained phlebotomist. No fasting required. The appointment takes approximately 20 minutes. No needles beyond a routine blood draw.
Your plasma sample is processed and shipped to the Advance Tests reference laboratory. Biomarkers are measured using Quanterix's proprietary Simoa® Single Molecule Array digital immunoassay — one of the most sensitive protein detection technologies in existence.
You receive a detailed clinical report showing your Amyloid Risk Score (0–100), individual biomarker values, and risk classification (low / intermediate / high).
Your GP at Lambert Medical Practice reviews your results and discusses implications, appropriate next steps, lifestyle recommendations, or referral to a neurologist if clinically indicated. Your report can be shared with any specialist or future doctor.
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LucentAD® by Quanterix Corporation
Developed and validated at Quanterix's CLIA-certified laboratory. Validated across 1,082 patients in three independent international cohorts.
UK Distribution by Advance Tests
Lambert Medical Practice is an authorised partner clinic of Advance Tests, the sole UK distributor of LucentAD®.
Rated 4.9/5 from over 100 verified reviews
Don't wait months for an NHS referral. The LucentAD® blood test delivers a clinically validated amyloid risk result in 15 working days — from a simple blood draw at our Surbiton clinic.
380 Ewell Road, Tolworth, Surbiton KT6 7BE | Mon–Fri 9:00–18:00 | Sat 9:00–14:00
Alzheimer's blood biomarker testing is a highly specialised service not yet widely available in UK private healthcare. We have partnered with Advance Tests — the UK's exclusive distributor of LucentAD® — to bring this technology directly to our Surbiton clinic, backed by GP-led interpretation and a full clinical support pathway.
LucentAD® uses Quanterix's Simoa® digital immunoassay — ultra-sensitive single-molecule detection that reliably measures pTau217 in 100% of clinical samples.
Results are reviewed and discussed by one of our GPs — not delivered as a PDF without context. We explain what your score means and advise on next steps.
Results in 15 working days versus months on NHS pathways. Same-day phlebotomy appointments typically available.
From £490, compared to £3,000+ for a PET scan or lumbar puncture. The most cost-effective first-line investigation for amyloid status.
Combine with a full health check
Memory changes can sometimes be caused by treatable conditions — thyroid problems, vitamin B12 deficiency, anaemia, or hormonal imbalances. We recommend pairing the Alzheimer's blood test with our comprehensive health screening panel or full blood tests to rule out reversible causes alongside biomarker testing.
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