Chandigarh: To address diagnostic gaps left by standard MRIs and inaccessible Amyloid-PET scans — a specialised brain imaging test that detects harmful protein clumps called amyloid plaques — PGI’s department of biochemistry will roll out specialised biomarker testing using cerebrospinal fluid within two to three weeks. The test measures proteins including phosphorylated tau 217 (p-tau 217), Amyloid-beta 42 and Amyloid-beta 40 to confirm Alzheimer’s and rule out other conditions like frontotemporal dementia or vascular dementia.PGI will offer this three-test panel at an at-cost price of Rs 10,000, compared to Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 in private labs. “This is the first time we are introducing this confirmatory test with 3 panels. NIMHANS Bangalore has 2 panel test,” said Dr Indu Verma, department of biochemistry.The institute is also preparing to administer new disease-modifying therapies—patented amyloid-clearing drugs recently launched in India—to suitable early-stage candidates, such as those with Minimal Cognitive Impairment. “These drugs cost around Rs 1 lakh per month over an 18-month duration and help slow disease progression, though they carry side effect risks and are not a complete cure,” said Dr Sucharita Ra, neurologist in PGI.To improve long-term tracking, the institute is applying to create a centralised patient registry. Additionally, the new programme focuses on caregiver support.“A recent PGI study revealed that 80% of patients come from peripheral areas and take 3 to 4 years to reach PGI, with 70% reaching advanced stages without a prior diagnosis. The program will offer specialized counseling, telephonic follow-ups, and caregiver education to alleviate burnout for families bearing the care burden,” said Dr Dheeraj Khurana, in charge of the advanced neuroscience centre, PGI. He said,” The confirmatory test shall be soon done on a patient who was getting treated from the US and has now come to us.”
