Radio Bath presenter becomes 1,000th participant in landmark dementia study

A Bath resident has become the 1,000th participant in a major UK research study that could transform how dementia is diagnosed across the NHS.

Part of the Radio Bath Family and local broadcasting royalty Bob Crampton, 75, joined the READ-OUT (REAl World Dementia OUTcomes) study at ReMind UK in Bath, marking a significant milestone for the nationwide project.

The study is investigating whether simple blood tests can be used alongside existing NHS memory clinic assessments to diagnose the diseases that cause dementia more quickly and accurately.

Co-led by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, READ-OUT forms part of the Blood Biomarker Challenge, a multi-million-pound initiative involving Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Gates Ventures and players of People’s Postcode Lottery. The ambition is to introduce dementia blood tests into routine NHS care by 2029.

Bob, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2023, said he was proud to play a part in research that could benefit future generations.

He said: “I was very keen to take part in the READ-OUT study, and it is encouraging to see so many people from across the UK also choosing to get involved. I am certainly proud to be the 1,000th participant.

“If sharing my experience can help improve understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and support scientific progress, then I feel I’ve done my part.”

Participants in the study provide a blood sample alongside information about their cognitive health, allowing researchers to assess whether blood-based biomarkers can reliably identify different forms of dementia in people attending NHS memory clinics.

Professor Vanessa Raymont, Director of Research and Development at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and co-lead of the READ-OUT study, described the milestone as an important moment for dementia research.

She said the achievement reflected the commitment of volunteers, researchers and clinical teams across the UK, adding that every participant brings researchers closer to developing faster, more accurate diagnostic tools for people living with dementia.

More than 3,000 volunteers are expected to take part in the READ-OUT study across 33 sites nationwide, with the research aiming to improve access to diagnosis, support and future treatments for people affected by dementia.