Validation of the Specificity of the Bells Test for PSP
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Validation of the Specificity of the Bells Test for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
IRAS ID
359975
Contact name
Daniel Smith
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Durham University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a rare and incurable neurodegenerative disease that affects ~7 in 100,000 people. There is no definitive test for PSP, which shares many of the same symptoms as Parkinson’s disease (PD). Correct diagnosis of PSP takes about 3 years longer than correct diagnosis of PD, and up to 50% of patients are initially diagnosed with a different illness, often Parkinson’s disease. Delayed diagnosis creates significant anxiety for patients and their families and makes it hard to recruit and enrol patients in clinical trials of new treatments. Patient groups and doctors agree that research into new tools for diagnosis of PSP should be a high priority.
We recently showed that 5- minute cognitive test called the Bells test correctly detected the presence of PSP in all 29 patients with PSP and ruled out PSP in 90% of patients with Parkinsons, meaning it could potentially help doctors rule out the most common alternative diagnoses.
The aim of this project is validate our test in a new sample of patients. Participants can choose a home visit or an e-appointment via videoconference. During each visit participants will complete a neuropsychological assessment called the MoCA, rating scales that assess the severity of their disease, a paper-and-pencil version of the Bells test, and a computerised Bells test. We will measure how long it takes to complete the task, the distance between successively cancelled bells and the number of bells they miss. We will also analyse whether the changes in scores over time can accurately predict which patients go on to a confirmed diagnosis of PSP. The potential benefit of the research is the validation of a new diagnostic test for PSP is free, fast to administer and easy to score.REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/NE/0055
Date of REC Opinion
22 Apr 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion