New Delhi:The Alzheimer's diagnosis with the help of a new blood biomarker test, coupled with imaging, can enable detection well before severe cognitive symptoms become evident, a diagnostic centre chain said on Monday.

Introducing Artificial Intelligence-integrated blood biomarker test, supported by structured PET and MRI imaging pathways, Mahajan Imaging and Labs said the new approach supports a shift from symptom-led assessment to a biology-first diagnosis in Indian clinical practice.

sThe new method uses the pTAU/Aβ1-42 blood biomarker test, which has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation.

The expanded diagnostic approach employed by the chain was formally introduced and discussed during a scientific symposium in Gurugram on Sunday.

Globally, Alzheimer's diagnosis increasingly depends on amyloid PET imaging and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing.

Dr Harsh Mahajan, founder and chairman of Mahajan Imaging and Labs, said in India, limited availability and high costs -- as much as Rs 2 lakh per scan -- have restricted widespread access to amyloid PET, leaving many clinicians dependent on symptom-based assessments.

"A key differentiator of our approach is the integration of laboratory diagnostics with imaging. The combination of blood biomarkers with 18F FDG (a PET scan) can be a game-changer not only in early diagnosis of Alzheimer's, but also in follow-up of patients on the new treatments to assess for treatment response," he said.

Source:Ndtv