The integration of this new technology could significantly reduce the time to diagnosis and improve the overall management of dementia patients.

Professor Chris Kipps described the technique as a breakthrough that could transform the approach to diagnosing neurodegenerative diseases.

The new laser-based technique not only provides results in seconds but is also more cost-effective than existing tests, making it a promising alternative for healthcare providers.

Currently, over 850,000 people in the UK are living with dementia, and projections suggest this number will rise to 1.4 million by 2040, highlighting the critical need for improved diagnostic methods.

Traditional diagnostic methods, including brain scans and memory tests, are often time-consuming and can lead to significant delays in diagnosis, leaving many patients untreated until the disease has progressed.

Professor Sumeet Mahajan emphasized the urgent need for more effective and cost-efficient diagnostic solutions to improve patient outcomes in dementia care.

Preliminary tests of this new technique have shown an impressive accuracy rate of over 93% in detecting Alzheimer's disease, marking a significant advancement in medical technology.

Researchers at the University Hospital Southampton and the University of Southampton have developed a groundbreaking laser test that could significantly enhance dementia diagnosis.

This innovative technology, known as multi-excitation Raman spectroscopy (MX-Raman), aims to create a 'biochemical fingerprint' to accurately differentiate between various types of dementia.

The new laser technology allows for the analysis of bodily fluids such as blood, spinal fluid, or mucus in seconds, a stark contrast to the traditional diagnostic process that can take up to two years.

Dementia encompasses various types, including Alzheimer's and vascular dementia, which typically worsen over time, underscoring the importance of early and accurate diagnosis.

The lengthy traditional diagnosis process often delays treatment, which can exacerbate the progression of dementia, making the development of faster diagnostic methods essential.