New Delhi: As the global healthcare community observes World Alzheimer’s Day, Mahajan Imaging & Labs hosted an expert webinar highlighting the growing role of advanced diagnostics in the early evaluation of Alzheimer’s disease. The discussion focused on the use of pTAU217/βAmyloid1-42 blood biomarker testing, AI-enabled MRI brain imaging and FDG PET as complementary diagnostic tools alongside clinical assessment.

Titled “Alzheimer’s Disease: From Early Signs to Early Diagnosis – The Role of Advanced Diagnostics in Timely Intervention,” the webinar brought together experts from neurology, nuclear medicine and laboratory diagnostics, offering perspectives on how emerging diagnostic approaches could support earlier and more informed evaluation of cognitive decline.

The panel featured Dr. Vinit Suri, Senior Consultant Neurologist, Apollo Hospital; (Padma Shri) Dr. Harsh Mahajan, Founder & Chairperson, Mahajan Imaging & Labs and Mentor, FICCI Health; Dr. Shelly Mahajan, Lab Director, Mahajan Imaging & Labs; and Dr. Ritu Verma, Director – PET CT & Nuclear Medicine, Mahajan Imaging & Labs.

The discussion comes against the backdrop of India’s growing dementia burden. More than 8.8 million people aged 60 years and above are estimated to be living with dementia in the country, with Alzheimer’s disease accounting for the majority of cases. The number is projected to nearly double over the next decade, underscoring the importance of recognising cognitive changes and identifying underlying pathology at an earlier stage.

Recognising the Early Signs

Addressing the importance of early clinical evaluation, Dr. Vinit Suri, Senior Consultant Neurologist, Apollo Hospital, said, “The first step is recognising when a change in memory is more than an occasional lapse. Progressive forgetfulness, difficulty managing familiar tasks or changes that affect a person’s independence warrant neurological evaluation. Once cognitive impairment is established, investigations can help determine whether Alzheimer’s pathology is contributing to the symptoms and guide subsequent clinical decisions.”

The webinar highlighted the need to distinguish normal age-related forgetfulness from persistent or progressive cognitive changes. This is particularly relevant for individuals over 50 experiencing memory concerns, those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or people with a strong family history of Alzheimer’s disease.

Blood-Based Biomarkers Expand Diagnostic Possibilities

A key focus of the discussion was pTAU217/βAmyloid1-42 blood biomarker testing, introduced by Mahajan Imaging & Labs as part of its Dementia Diagnostic Series. The series also includes cognitive health and genetic risk panels.

The pTAU217/βAmyloid1-42 ratio is intended to provide an indication of Alzheimer’s-related biological changes through a blood sample, offering a less invasive approach than cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing.

Dr. Shelly Mahajan, Lab Director, Mahajan Imaging & Labs, said, “The development of blood-based biomarkers is an important step in making Alzheimer’s-related biological assessment simpler and more accessible. From a laboratory perspective, the pTAU217/βAmyloid1-42 ratio provides a measurable indication of disease-associated pathology through a blood sample. When interpreted appropriately with the clinical and imaging findings, it can help bring greater clarity to the diagnostic process.”

Performed at the Mahajan Reference Laboratory, the test is positioned within an integrated diagnostic pathway that combines laboratory findings with clinical and imaging assessments.

MRI and FDG PET Add Complementary Insights

The experts also discussed the complementary role of advanced brain imaging in evaluating cognitive symptoms.

MRI brain imaging can help assess structural changes in regions associated with memory and cognition while also assisting clinicians in identifying other potential causes of cognitive symptoms, including stroke, tumours and pressure abnormalities. AI-enabled imaging can further support the assessment of structural changes and interpretation of imaging findings.

FDG PET, meanwhile, provides information on brain metabolism and can offer a functional perspective that differs from structural imaging.

Dr. Ritu Verma, Director – PET CT & Nuclear Medicine, Mahajan Imaging & Labs, added, “PET imaging provides a functional perspective that cannot be obtained from structural imaging alone. In selected patients, FDG PET can help identify patterns of altered brain metabolism associated with neurodegenerative disease. Its value is greatest when the findings are interpreted with the clinical assessment, MRI and biomarker results rather than viewed in isolation.”

Under Mahajan Imaging & Labs’ integrated approach, positive or borderline blood biomarker results may be followed by MRI and FDG PET CT where clinically indicated. The webinar emphasised that such investigations are most meaningful when interpreted alongside the patient’s symptoms, clinical assessment and other diagnostic findings.

Integrating Diagnostics With Clinical Decision-Making

Speaking about the broader evolution of Alzheimer’s diagnostics, (Padma Shri) Dr. Harsh Mahajan, Founder & Chairperson, Mahajan Imaging & Labs and Mentor, FICCI Health, said, “Alzheimer’s care is entering an important phase where earlier biological understanding can influence how the disease is evaluated and managed. At Mahajan Imaging & Labs, our focus has been to bring advanced diagnostic capabilities together so that clinicians have access to meaningful evidence at different stages of the diagnostic journey. This convergence of clinical expertise, biomarkers and imaging can strengthen the way Alzheimer’s is identified and followed over time.”

The convergence of laboratory diagnostics, radiology and nuclear medicine reflects an increasingly multidisciplinary approach to evaluating cognitive disorders. Rather than relying on a single investigation, the webinar highlighted the value of combining clinical assessment with appropriate biomarkers and imaging based on individual patient needs.

Also read: Fortis Bannerghatta Road Crosses 3,000 Robotic Surgery Milestone

Evolving Alzheimer’s Treatment Landscape

The discussion also touched upon the changing treatment landscape for Alzheimer’s disease. Established medicines including donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine and memantine continue to be used for symptomatic management.

At the same time, newer disease-modifying therapies target amyloid pathology. Lecanemab and donanemab represent newer treatment options for eligible patients with early Alzheimer’s disease. Their use involves appropriate patient selection, confirmation of Alzheimer’s pathology and specialist monitoring.

Against this evolving therapeutic landscape, the ability to establish whether Alzheimer’s-related pathology is present is becoming increasingly relevant to clinical decision-making.

The webinar concluded by emphasising that early recognition of cognitive changes, supported by appropriate diagnostic investigations, can help clinicians build a more informed understanding of an individual’s condition. The integration of clinical expertise, blood-based biomarkers, MRI and functional PET imaging represents an evolving approach to the assessment and management of Alzheimer’s disease.

Like

Dislike

Be a part of Elets Collaborative Initiatives. Join Us for Upcoming Events and explore business opportunities. Like us on Facebook , connect with us on LinkedIn and follow us on Twitter , Instagram.

"Exciting news! Elets technomedia is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest insights!" Click here!