UAE: Worried about Alzheimer’s risks? Early detection through a blood test offers hope

Abu Dhabi: In a major step towards reducing Alzheimer's cases in the UAE and beyond, a new world-class diagnostic facility dedicated to early detection through a simple blood test will soon be established in Abu Dhabi.
Announced on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi Global Health Week, the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) – part of the M42 Group – will open the region’s first Center for Advanced Neuro Biochemical Diagnostics in partnership with Neurocode International, a global leader of neurology diagnostic solutions.
Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive brain disorder, gradually affects memory, thinking, learning and organisational skills. It is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60-70 per cent of cases. Early detection of Alzheimer’s is crucial for managing symptoms and slowing the disease’s progression. However, traditional diagnostic methods are often invasive, typically involving spinal cord needle extraction, which results in low early detection rates.

Screening from age 40
Equipped with top-notch laboratory equipment and staffed by renowned neurologists and pathologists, the centre will offer blood-based testing for patients as young as 40, ensuring timely intervention and significantly improving patient outcomes.

Hasan Jasem Al Nowais, Managing Director and Group CEO of M42, said: “This centre will revolutionise the early, proactive detection of Alzheimer’s, underscoring our dedication to and the importance of preventive health. By focusing on early intervention, we aim to reduce the impact of Alzheimer's and improve the quality of life for patients in the UAE and beyond.”

Expert-led research
The centre aims to establish the world's most advanced clinical diagnostic laboratory for brain disorders, guiding global clinicians in precision detection and ushering in a new era of neurological diagnostics. Its research will be published in top scientific journals, sharing findings with the wider medical community. The laboratory will offer world-class technology and clinical infrastructure, ensuring standardised test levels and cut-offs across leading laboratories for consistent, high-quality care.

Dr Laila AbdelWareth, CEO, NRL, said the centre sets a “new benchmark” in neurological diagnostics worldwide. It will accelerate early and accurate diagnostics of Alzheimer’s, significantly improving patient outcomes.
Expert-led research into neurological diagnostics will be a cornerstone of the centre with a full-time lab-based professor of neurology. Prof Henrik Zetterberg, an expert in the development of biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease and its diagnosis, and Prof Kaj Blennow, recognised for his instrumental role in developing early diagnostic tools for the disease, will be off-site expert consultants for the centre.
Dr Hans Frykman, CEO, Neurocode International, added: “With a team of the most experienced and renowned scientists in the field, we are poised to guide physicians in the Middle East and globally towards early and accurate diagnoses of Alzheimer's and other brain disorders.”