Interim CEO Liberty Harrison, at BRACE Dementia Research, celebrates game changing progress in Alzheimer’s early diagnosis and highlights BRACE’s pioneering Fastball test: a two-minute, at home EEG brain test that could transform lives.
What an exciting time to lead a dementia research charity. 2025 has brought great advancements in early diagnosis for Alzheimer’s and a world first with the development of a gene therapy for Huntington’s disease; progress really is being made in the fight against dementia.
Breakthroughs in research can only happen with continuous investment. That’s why BRACE has been funding research into an early Alzheimer’s diagnostic test called Fastball at the University of Bath for several years.
In September, research results showed that Fastball can reliably measure not just early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, but also mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a condition that can lead to dementia. These results found that the test is also effective when used in a home setting. The test takes just two minutes to conduct and uses an EEG cap to measure brain waves whilst the participant watches a series of images.
An at-home Alzheimer’s test could transform dementia diagnosis. One in three people in England living with dementia do not currently have a diagnosis. Many people are diagnosed too late. Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia, begins 10–20 years before noticeable symptoms appear.
Delays in diagnosis prevent those living with dementia from accessing formal support, medication and now, new Alzheimer’s drugs, which must be given at the earliest stages to be effective. BRACE is funding research that can and will make a significant difference in the fight against dementia.
This year, the charity has supported 8 research projects looking into causes of dementia, early diagnosis and possible treatments. Additionally, BRACE has supported 10 PhD students, the South West Dementia Brain Bank – a resource for thousands of dementia research projects worldwide, and a dementia research nurse.
We feel incredibly proud of our impact on research. Looking ahead to 2026, we’re excited to see what breakthroughs and developments might come. However, like so many charities in the sector, we’ve seen a marked decline in donations this year compared with previous years.
None of our work would be possible without our fantastic supporters who generously help make research possible. I would like to say a special thank you to Signature Senior Lifestyle, who have been fundraising across all their homes to raise £25,000 in support of our dementia research nurse in 2025.
Thank you also to Oakland Care, who partnered with the charity for the launch of Kentish Kitchen at Hyllden Heights, the UK’s first dementia-friendly community restaurant. Finally, a big thank you to Capital One, whose UK office has taken on various challenges and fundraising initiatives this year, raising more than £40,000.
If your business or care home would like to get involved and support dementia research in 2026, please get in touch with me at liberty@alzheimers-brace.org
