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The patient experience Understanding the real needs of patients is where neurologists’ expertise is vital. The partnership between neuroscientists and neurologists forms a bridge between research and real-world care. While neuroscientists work behind the scenes in the lab, neurologists bring direct clinical insight from diagnosing and treating patients. Leading the clinical arm of the programme is Dr Campbell Le Heron, a consultant neurologist at Christchurch Hospital, who works with participants in the DPRCs and people living with dementia across the health system, with a particular focus on young-onset cases. As Co-Principal Investigator, he will interpret clinical findings alongside blood-biomarker results, helping ensure the science translates into everyday practice with patient experience at its core. Campbell is joined by a nationwide team of neurologists, including Dr Kiri Brickell (Auckland), Professor Tim Anderson (Christchurch), and Dr Nick Cutfield (Dunedin), so the study reflects the diversity of New Zealand’s patients and care settings. Cost and economy The pathway must be practical. Health economist Professor Paula Lorgelly is assessing how to implement testing within the parameters of our healthcare system. Her economic evaluation will help determine whether blood biomarker testing could reduce long-term healthcare costs and represent a worthwhile investment – where money spent now may be far less than the cost of advanced care later. Paula is assessing how that could be done sustainably, weighing the cost of implementation against the benefits of earlier diagnosis and better care planning. International expertise strengthens the work Remarkably, one of the world’s leading pioneers in Alzheimer’s blood biomarkers has joined the team. Professor Henrik Zetterberg, a Swedish neuroscientist based at the University of Gothenburg, has transformed how neurodegenerative diseases are detected and monitored in blood. Erin began collaborating with Henrik in 2019, and in 2023 undertook a five-month placement in his lab, supported by the AMRF Gavin and Ann Kellaway Medical Research Fellowship and the Neurological Foundation. Erin says this helped to cement a collaboration that now drives the current lab work. In New Zealand, Erin runs blood panels through the country’s only machine able to detect tiny protein molecules with ultra-high sensitivity. The Simoa analyser, about the size of a home office printer, sits in the CBR. It’s an expensive tool, costing around $190,000. In Sweden, by contrast, Henrik’s Gothenburg neurochemistry diagnostic lab operates eight of these analysers, processing hundreds of samples at once. Partnership with Māori Dr Makarena Dudley (Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kahu) is an investigator on the programme and will help to ensure Māori perspectives guide how blood biomarkers are integrated into diagnostic pathways. This collaboration builds on the existing relationship between Makarena, the DPRCs and Māori communities, with the overall aim of strengthening equitable access to diagnosis and future treatments. “Māori voices and perspectives on the use of blood biomarkers in research and clinical practice will be heard and acted on,” says Erin. Bringing it together “Being able to detect Alzheimer’s biology changes from a simple blood draw is transformative,” Erin says. “We’re also exploring new biomarkers to improve diagnosis and better understand how Alzheimer’s disease may look different in New Zealand compared to other countries. “There is still a lot of work to be done to roll this out in New Zealand, from validation across platforms, a clear clinical workflow, equity and clinician education, and resourcing. By supporting this programme, the Neurological Foundation is backing research that’s globally relevant and locally impactful, with a clear path to real-world benefits.” “Māori voices and perspectives on the use of blood biomarkers in research and clinical practice will be heard and acted on,” Dr Erin Cawston Headlines 7