The Global Alzheimer's Platform Foundation® (GAP) has announced that Scotland will host the Bio-Hermes Biomarker Data Challenge 2024, a groundbreaking research competition utilizing the most extensive collection of dementia biomarker data from innovative early blood testing studies for Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers at the Universities of Glasgow and St. Andrews, under the auspices of the Scottish Funding Council’s Brain Health ARC, have launched a first-of-its-kind open access data competition to encourage just about any researcher, from any field, to use the information, with the hope of attracting bold ideas and breakthroughs in the fight against this devastating disease.

The Bio-Hermes study, facilitated by GAP, brought together leading digital and traditional cognitive assessment companies along with pharmaceutical partners to explore cutting-edge blood tests, brain scans, and other diagnostic methods for dementia.

Data from over 80,000 test results from the Bio-Hermes study are now accessible to researchers in Scotland through the AD Workbench from the Alzheimer’s Disease Data Initiative, a global, secure, cloud-based data sharing and analytics environment. Following the challenge, this data will be made publicly available in 2025, potentially offering vital insights into Alzheimer’s disease prediction, diagnosis, and treatment.

The Scottish Funding Council’s Brain Health ARC has embraced GAP’s challenge, recognizing the exceptional value of the highly diverse biomarker data. This initiative aims to unite Scotland's dementia research community, fostering collaboration and providing a platform for innovative ideas and early career researcher development.

Niranjan Bose, Interim Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Data Initiative, highlighted the importance of non-invasive, blood-based biomarkers in the timely diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. He expressed optimism that the Bio-Hermes Biomarker Data Challenge will catalyze research collaboration and new insights, ultimately advancing effective solutions for these conditions.

Scotland's selection for this challenge underscores its unparalleled commitment to accelerating dementia research. Professor Terry Quinn from the University of Glasgow emphasized the need for fresh ideas in dementia research, welcoming contributions from diverse disciplines such as mathematics, engineering, and physics.

Professor Frank Gunn-Moore from the University of St Andrews hailed the challenge as a model of collaboration, democratizing research opportunities for all interested parties.

President of GAP, John Dwyer, expressed gratitude to the Scottish research community for their enthusiasm, anticipating groundbreaking innovations and collaborations resulting from the challenge. He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to accelerate research towards finding cures for Alzheimer's disease.

The Bio-Hermes Biomarker Data Challenge marks a significant step forward in global dementia research, offering a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in the pursuit of solutions for this pressing public health challenge.