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

Mumbai: Roche Diagnostics India 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 Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as an aid to identify a higher risk of cognitive decline.

In India alone, more than five million people have some form of dementia with AD accounting for an estimated 60 to 80 per cent of cases. Currently, the diagnosis of AD is largely based on clinical symptoms, including cognitive testing, with a significant number of patients diagnosed when their disease has already advanced. A diagnosis of AD based on cognitive measures alone is only correct in 70 to 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.

Narendra Varde, Managing Director, Roche Diagnostic India and Neighboring Markets, said, “As per 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. To bridge this need gap, I am excited to introduce the Elecsys CSF tests which offer a standardised pre-analytical protocol for clinicians and labs to provide reliable, safe and accurate identification of patients with Alzheimer's disease.”

Further Dr Joy Desai, Director and Head, Department Of Neurology, The Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, shares, “In India, many people living with Alzheimer's are not diagnosed and even among those who are, a large number are unaware of their diagnosis. An early diagnosis can improve the quality of care and quality of life and may reduce the financial and emotional impact of the disease.”

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