If you have ever worried about memory loss in a loved one or are simply concerned about your brain health as you age, there’s good news, Abu Dhabi is set to open the region’s first Alzheimer’s early detection centre using simple blood tests, and screenings could begin from as early as age 40.
Announced during Abu Dhabi Global Health Week, the Centre for Advanced Neuro Biochemical Diagnostics will be launched by the National Reference Laboratory, part of M42 Group, in partnership with Neurocode International. The new centre is expected to open within the next two months.
What makes this so important? Traditionally, diagnosing Alzheimer’s required invasive spinal cord tests, which made early screening difficult. But this new centre will offer a quick, non-invasive blood test that can potentially detect early signs of Alzheimer’s years before symptoms appear.
Experts say this could be a game-changer for both patients and families, helping start the treatment or support sooner. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, affecting over 57 million people globally, and that number is growing.
The centre will also focus on research and innovation, aiming to become one of the most advanced labs for brain disorders in the world. It will be supported by leading scientists, including Professor Henrik Zetterberg and Professor Kaj Blennow, who are known globally for developing tools to diagnose Alzheimer’s early.
For families in the UAE, this means better access to early diagnosis, local expertise, and potentially more options for care and prevention, all close to home.