The project is one of eight new research projects funded by EPSRC that will explore a variety of techniques and technology aimed at improving detection and diagnosis of dementias.

Dr Owen Guy and Dr Daniele Doneddu from Swansea University’s College of Engineering, and researchers from Plymouth University will work together to create a new way to detect biomarkers found in bodily fluids such as blood, fluid in the spine and brain, urine and saliva which indicate dementia in the early stages of the disease. The technology will also be used to track the progression of the disease.

The process uses graphene-based biosensors which, unlike existing methods, are able to provide clinicians with real-time data and a conclusive test within minutes of the sample being taken. When combined with other graphene-based sensor technology, the procedure will be able to gauge results across multiple biomarkers, increasing the accuracy of the detection of dementia.

The successful research projects were selected following a peer review panel and were developed in response to the Sensing and Imaging for Diagnosis of Dementias (SIDD) call issued by EPSRC in December 2013.

The research will involve academics from 11 UK universities who will investigate different uses of sensing and imaging. These include:

• monitoring changes and damage in microstructures in the brain and variations in blood flow using MRI and PET

• developing diagnostic tools that innovatively use graphene-based biosensor technology in order to detect multiple biomarkers of dementia, simultaneously, at the point of care

• using computational and mathematical techniques to improve the cognitive assessment of people with or at risk from dementia

• investigating whether electroanalytical detection of changes in multiple protein markers in the blood can be used to reflect the rate of progression to Parkinson’s disease and severe movement disability. This will be achieved by matching serial serum levels with detailed clinical assessments

• monitoring eye movement patterns and looking for trends that might detect and measure disease progression

• can the retina provide reliable biomarkers (signs) for future risk of dementia? Developing technologies based on imaging to reveal and enable such biomarkers to be used

• developing a device to simultaneously analyse both electrical signals from the brain and cardiovascular signal (blood flow/ oxygenation) in order to understand the feasibility of these as a diagnostic tool

Professor Philip Nelson, EPSRC’s Chief Executive, said: “The UK faces a huge challenge over the coming decades, we have an aging population and a likely rise in the numbers of people suffering from dementias.  These research projects will improve our abilities to detect and understand dementias and how the disease progresses.

“The development of new healthcare technologies and improved clinical care are being made possible by advances in engineering, physical sciences and mathematics and we must continue to support these fields to improve the quality of life of our population.”