Alzheimer’s disease could soon be detected by GPs using a small, hand-held device developed by Australian experts.

Monash University engineers have developed a first-of-its-kind finger-prick blood test to detect the hallmark protein in early Alzheimer’s before symptoms progress.

The size of a credit card, it uses world-first patented sensor technology to detect ultra-low concentrations of disease markers in blood in minutes.

Associate Professor Sudha Mokkapati, from Monash Materials Science and Engineering, said the device removes the need for laboratory-pathology tests and could change the prognosis for countless people.

“It’s simple to use, low-cost and portable so it could be made widely accessible to GPs to screen patients right at the point of care,” Professor Mokkapati said.