Evaluation of Blood-Based Biomarkers and Remote Cognitive Assessment for Dementia Triage (SANDBOX)
SANDBOX: Scalable Assessment of Neurodegenerative Diagnosis Via Biomarkers and Online Examination
- Dementia
- Cognitive Impairment
At a glance
- Phase
- Phase not stated
- Study type
- Observational
- Sponsor
- Prima Mente
- Enrolment target
- 1,000
- Started
- 13 November 2025
- Main results due
- 30 November 2027
- Study sites
- 12
- Registry updated
- 25 September 2026
Can you take part?
- Aged 50 years and over.
- Open to any sex.
- You need the condition being studied — healthy volunteers are not accepted.
These are the headline rules only. Every study has a longer list, and whether you are eligible is decided by the research team at the site — never by this page.
Read the full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * The participant is willing and able to provide informed consent for participation in the study, or if unable to consent, a consultee (nearest of kin or holder of Power of Attorney) is available to make a declaration. * Eligibility for recruitment in Scotland is restricted to participants who are able to provide informed consent themselves; participants requiring consultee consent will not be recruited in Scotland. * Male or female, aged 50 years or older. * The participant is currently on a waiting list for a participating Memory Clinic. * The participant lives within traveling distance to a study site. * The participant agrees to complete all study procedures, including genetic testing. Exclusion Criteria: * The participant may not enter the study if any of the following criteria apply: * The participant has known or anticipated challenges with venous blood sampling. * The participant is not fluent in English. * The participant has a historical diagnosis of dementia.
What this study is about
In the sponsor’s own words, from the registry.
Dementia is a leading cause of death in the UK, and long waits for diagnosis can delay access to care and treatment. The SANDBOX study is a research study in NHS Memory Clinics investigating whether providing clinicians with additional test results could help them diagnose dementia earlier.
Adults aged 50 or over who have been referred to a Memory Clinic by their GP may be invited to take part. Taking part is voluntary and will not affect a participant's care. Participation adds to their NHS care and does not replace or delay it.
Participants complete three assessments: a blood test that measures two proteins which can indicate whether Alzheimer's-related changes may be happening in the brain (not currently available on the NHS); a genetic test for the APOE gene, which influences Alzheimer's risk; and a cognitive assessment of memory and thinking that includes a recorded speech task analysed for subtle language changes. All results are shared with the participant's clinician.
This research will help determine whether this approach can support earlier dementia diagnosis and improve care for patients across the UK.
Study sites(12)
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
London, Greater London, United Kingdom
Recruiting
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
London, London, United Kingdom
Recruiting
West London NHS Trust
London, London, United Kingdom
Recruiting
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
London, Surrey, United Kingdom
Recruiting
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Clinical Research Centre
Newport, Wales, United Kingdom
Recruiting
Bradford District Care Foundation Trust
Bradford, United Kingdom
Recruiting
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Bridgend, United Kingdom
Recruiting
Hywel Dda University Health Board
Llanelli, United Kingdom
Active, not recruiting
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Recruiting
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Penarth, United Kingdom
Recruiting
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Reading, United Kingdom
Recruiting
Swansea Bay University Health Board
Swansea, United Kingdom
Recruiting
Showing 12 of 12 sites. 11 of the 12 sites on this study are recruiting right now — a site can stop enrolling while the study as a whole is still open.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov record NCT07842029. Trialion does not run this study, is not paid to refer anyone to it, and cannot enrol you. Eligibility is always decided by the research team at the site.
Not the right study?
Answer three questions and see the studies recruiting near you, in plain language.
Find a study for me