The UAE is to open the region’s first centre to detect Alzheimer’s as early as the age of 40 through a simple blood test.
In the race to detect the disease early, the new centre in Abu Dhabi - which will open within the next two months - will offer blood tests that can identify the risk of the condition before symptoms appear. The tests are set to replace older, more invasive methods that required spinal fluid collection.
The National Reference Laboratory (NRL), part of the M42 Group, has teamed up with Neurocode International to establish the Middle East and North Africa region’s first Centre for Advanced Neuro Biochemical Diagnostics, it was announced at Abu Dhabi Global Health Week.
“There have been great advancements in the detection of molecules that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease in the blood,” Dr Laila Abdel Wareth, chief executive of NRL, told The National. “We used to go by a needle at the back of the patient to get a sample of the fluid surrounding the brain. This is obviously a very invasive procedure, and a lot of patients, even when they have symptoms, decline this procedure. Because of advances in technology and voluntary medicine techniques, we are now able to measure those biomarkers in the blood. So that really helps early detection of this disease.”
What are the markers of Alzheimer's?
Blood markers can reveal a person’s predisposition to Alzheimer’s years before the first symptoms. Alzheimer’s is known to progress slowly and often goes unnoticed for many years. The changes in the brain, particularly the build-up of amyloid proteins, begin long before cognitive problems appear.
“They can go to work. They can drive their car. They seem like a perfectly normal individual. There is no way you can tell that this individual is going to develop the disease [other than with this test],” Dr Abdel Wareth said.
If a patient's biomarkers do indicate the early stages of Alzheimer's following the test, visible symptoms usually begin about five to eight years after that point - a stage referred to as mild cognitive impairment.
“The patient is aware that there is something wrong," Dr Abdel Wareth said. "He or she is no longer at 100 per cent of their capacity - maybe 80 or 70 per cent. Some people call it brain fog. If you don’t do anything about this mild cognitive stage, then the disease will progress. More neurons, more brain cells will die. Eventually, the patient will develop Alzheimer’s disease."
From that point, people often lose their ability to live independently. “By the age of 65, these symptoms become very apparent. With every passing year, there is a progressive cost,” Dr Abdel Wareth said. “But the problem here is, once you reach that state, already the train has started. So really, the key thing is to intervene early on, when the individual starts thinking there's something wrong.”
How is Alzheimer's treated?
While there is still no cure for Alzheimer’s, the hope is that early intervention can delay or slow its progression.
“There are studies now that demonstrate simple lifestyle changes such as weight loss and exercise are very important,” Dr Abdel Wareth said. “Some studies have demonstrated that the markers will actually go down. The lifestyle intervention actually does help, and the memory improves in such patients.”
Dr Abdel Wareth also referred to a new class of drugs that target amyloid build-up in the brain. These are typically administered through infusions and monitored over the course of 18 months to two years. “Even in stage one, you can still do something. But the only thing is, you cannot go back. The only thing you can do is prevent rapid progression to stage four, when the patient is unable to walk. This is what makes this test so important - why wait for somebody to develop symptoms?”
Beyond Alzheimer’s, the new centre will also develop diagnostic tools for neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease and the chronic autoimmune disorder myasthenia gravis. It aims to establish the world's most advanced clinical diagnostic laboratory for brain disorders, guiding global clinicians in precision detection.
Discussions are also under way with the Department of Health to determine when and how the tests should be covered by insurance. The centre's exact location is yet to be confirmed.
“This centre will revolutionise the early, proactive detection of Alzheimer's, underscoring our dedication to and the importance of preventive health. By focusing on early intervention, we aim to reduce the impact of Alzheimer's and improve the quality of life for patients in the UAE and beyond,” said Hasan Al Nowais, managing director and group chief executive of M42.
Jordan cabinet changes
In
- Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
- Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
- Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
- Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
- Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
- Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth
Out
- Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
- Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
- Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
- Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
- Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
- Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
- Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
- Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
- Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
- Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture
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Book%20Details
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Earth under attack: Cosmic impacts throughout history
- 4.5 billion years ago: Mars-sized object smashes into the newly-formed Earth, creating debris that coalesces to form the Moon
- 66 million years ago: 10km-wide asteroid crashes into the Gulf of Mexico, wiping out over 70 per cent of living species – including the dinosaurs.
- 50,000 years ago: 50m-wide iron meteor crashes in Arizona with the violence of 10 megatonne hydrogen bomb, creating the famous 1.2km-wide Barringer Crater
- 1490: Meteor storm over Shansi Province, north-east China when large stones “fell like rain”, reportedly leading to thousands of deaths.
- 1908: 100-metre meteor from the Taurid Complex explodes near the Tunguska river in Siberia with the force of 1,000 Hiroshima-type bombs, devastating 2,000 square kilometres of forest.
- 1998: Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 breaks apart and crashes into Jupiter in series of impacts that would have annihilated life on Earth.
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
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The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Price, base / as tested Dh150,900 / Dh173,600
Engine 2.0L inline four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 211hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 1,200rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.4L / 100km
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Manchester City 3 (Silva 8' &15, Foden 33')
Birmginahm City 0
Man of the match Bernado Silva (Manchester City)
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Each player begins with one of the great empires of history, from Julius Caesar's Rome to Ramses of Egypt, spread over Europe and the Middle East.
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Paatal Lok season two
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Wins: 28
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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United States beat UAE by three wickets
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Sunday, 10am, ICC Academy, Dubai - UAE v Scotland
Admission is free
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Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
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5pm: Maiden (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,600m
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,400m
6pm: Liwa Oasis (PA) Group 2 | Dh300,000 | 1,400m
6.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-2 (PA) Group 3 | Dh300,000 | 2,200m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap | Dh70,000 | 1,600m
7.30pm: Maiden (TB) | Dh80,000 | 2,200m
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1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
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Points about the fast fashion industry Celine Hajjar wants everyone to know
- Fast fashion is responsible for up to 10 per cent of global carbon emissions
- Fast fashion is responsible for 24 per cent of the world's insecticides
- Synthetic fibres that make up the average garment can take hundreds of years to biodegrade
- Fast fashion labour workers make 80 per cent less than the required salary to live
- 27 million fast fashion workers worldwide suffer from work-related illnesses and diseases
- Hundreds of thousands of fast fashion labourers work without rights or protection and 80 per cent of them are women
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