Daijiworld Media Network - Gurugram
Gurugram, Jan 19: Mahajan Imaging & Labs has expanded its Alzheimer’s disease diagnostic services with the launch of an AI-integrated blood biomarker test, supported by a structured PET and MRI imaging pathway under its Dementia Diagnostic Series, marking a significant shift towards biology-first diagnosis in Indian clinical practice.
The advanced diagnostic package includes Alzheimer’s blood biomarker testing using the pTAU217/βAmyloid1-42 ratio, along with cognitive health and genetic risk panels, AI-enabled MRI brain imaging with dementia protocol, and FDG PET imaging where clinically indicated. The pTAU/Aβ1-42 blood biomarker test, approved by the USFDA and CDSCO, enables detection of Alzheimer’s-related biological changes well before severe cognitive symptoms emerge.
The expanded approach was formally introduced during a scientific symposium titled “Integrating Next-Generation Alzheimer’s Blood Biomarkers with PET Brain Imaging: A New Paradigm in Early and Accurate Diagnosis”, hosted by Mahajan Imaging & Labs in Gurugram on Sunday. The event brought together over 40 leading neurologists and imaging experts to discuss how integrated laboratory and imaging diagnostics are reshaping Alzheimer’s care in India and globally.
Padma Shri Dr. (Prof.) V.S. Mehta, Chairman Emeritus – Neurosciences, Paras Health, attended as Guest of Honour. The session was moderated by Dr. Sumit Singh, Chief of Neurology, Artemis Hospital, with insights from Padma Shri Dr. M.V. Padma, Chairperson – Neurology, Paras Health, Gurugram, and Dr. Parveen Gupta, Chairman, Marengo Asia International Institute of Neuro & Spine. Dr. Ritu Verma, Director – PET CT & Nuclear Medicine, Mahajan Imaging & Labs, highlighted the clinical integration of imaging with advanced biomarker testing.
Citing recent estimates that over 8.8 million Indians aged 60 and above are living with dementia — a figure projected to nearly double in the next decade — experts underlined the urgent need for early and accurate diagnosis. Prof. Mehta said early detection was the cornerstone of effective care, noting that integrating AI-driven blood biomarkers with PET and MRI imaging could transform Alzheimer’s diagnosis and monitoring in India.
Dr. Sumit Singh described Alzheimer’s as a growing public health challenge, adding that the arrival of disease-modifying therapies makes early and precise diagnosis critical. Dr. M.V. Padma said the integrated approach supports timely detection, appropriate referral, and better care planning, reducing long-term burden on families and society.
Until recently, Alzheimer’s biomarker testing relied on invasive cerebrospinal fluid sampling. With plasma-based testing, the same information can now be obtained through a simple blood test. Mahajan Imaging & Labs now performs the pTAU/Aβ1-42 test at its reference laboratory, enabling faster reporting, closer integration with imaging findings, and improved affordability. Lab Director Dr. Shelly Mahajan said bringing this testing to India removes major access barriers and aligns diagnostics with evolving global standards.
Founder and Chairman Dr. Harsh Mahajan noted that high costs and limited availability of amyloid PET imaging in India have forced reliance on symptom-based assessments. He said combining blood biomarkers with FDG PET could be a game-changer not only for early diagnosis but also for monitoring treatment response, adding that conclusions from the symposium would be shared with the Neurological Society of India to aid in framing national guidelines.
Explaining the diagnostic pathway, Dr. Ritu Verma said patients begin with the blood biomarker test as the primary decision-making tool, followed by MRI brain imaging and FDG PET CT when required, along with integrated clinical interpretation. The approach is particularly relevant for individuals over 50 with memory concerns, those with mild cognitive impairment, strong family history of Alzheimer’s, or limited access to advanced imaging.