Diagnosis
Despite tremendous advancement in understanding the disease mechanism of various neurodegenerative diseases, there is no specific and sensitive laboratory test available (so far) for diagnosing neurodegenerative diseases such as AD, PD, and FTD. Using neuroimaging tools, such as PET, SPECT, and MRI scans, along with behavioural studies, possible neurodegenerative disorders in patients can be predicted. However, detecting early neurodegeneration in individuals at the pre-symptomatic level of the disease is still in the infancy stage. Medical experts and scientists are looking for a robust, sensitive, and non-invasive diagnostic method for various neurodegenerative disorders, and detecting neurodegeneration at an early stage, even as pharmacological treatment, is still an option.
The Centre will develop various diagnostic strategies using body fluids such as the blood and urine of patients. Using different blood-based profiling, proteomics, metabolomics, and protein-misfolding cyclic amplification method, the Centre will deliver the diagnostic and/or early diagnostic strategies for various neurodegenerative disorders. SCAN’s ongoing effort to collaborate with multiple hospitals in India is already underway. Further, the Centre will study the clinical and physiological aspects of PD and other movement-related disorders, which might help develop cognitive batteries. This will help in identifying cognitive impairment and underlying neural underpinning.