Roche Diagnostics launches India’s first automated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-based test for Alzheimer’s

Roche Diagnostics India today announced the launch of the Elecsys ß-Amyloid (1-42) CSF, Elecsys Phospho-Tau (181P) CSF assays, and Elecsys Total -Tau CSF. Elecsys AD CSF assays are intended to be used in adult patients with cognitive impairment to support the early diagnosis of AD and in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) as an aid to identify a higher risk of cognitive decline, a company statement said today.

A diagnosis of AD based on cognitive measures alone is only correct in 70-80 per cent of cases. Identifying the disease and its progression with CSF immunoassays, associated with AD pathology, increases the certainty of a diagnosis of AD and can help clinicians to evaluate the progression of the disease, said the statement.

Narendra Varde, Managing Director, Roche Diagnostic India and Neighboring Markets, said in the statement, “India currently faces a dual problem in terms of lack of effective diagnostic mechanisms and access to treatment for Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. According to a 2020 report by the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI), an estimated 5.3 million people above the age of 60 have dementia in the country and the burden of Alzheimer’s is expected to increase in the coming years. The need of the hour is to ensure timely diagnosis and intervention…………..”

The assays are now available at top neurological institutes across India. In the coming months, Roche Diagnostics is committed to expand access to these assays to a broader network of hospitals and labs across the country, the statement concluded.