A scan that can detect Alzheimer’s disease before memory loss begins is now available in the UAE for the first time.
The amyloid PET scan, recently launched at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, is a milestone in the region’s fight against neurodegenerative diseases and paves the way for treatment in patients as young as 40.
The advanced diagnostic tool reveals the accumulation of amyloid plaque in the brain. These masses of protein collect on the brain and they are seen as indicators of looming Alzheimer's.
Crucially, they appear long before symptoms become apparent, meaning treatment can be administered at an earlier stage, which in turn makes the treatment more effective.
"Traditional imaging like MRI or CT scans cannot detect amyloid plaque," Dr Hanan Sheikh Ibrahim, staff physician at the hospital’s Neurological Institute, told The National.
"This scan, however, can reveal the core pathology and determine if the patient is amyloid-positive. That informs not only the diagnosis, but the treatment.
"If the scan is positive, we know the patient is likely to benefit from the latest plaque-targeting drugs such as donanemab or lecanemab. If the scan is negative, we can rule out Alzheimer’s and look for reversible causes – like vitamin deficiencies, thyroid issues, sleep disorders, or even seizures."
Using the science
The launch of the scan follows the roll-out of a blood-based biomarker test, announced earlier this year at Abu Dhabi Health Week, which can also predict whether a person is likely to develop Alzheimer’s in the future.
When combined, the two tools allow for precision diagnosis and offer patients the opportunity to begin treatment or lifestyle interventions early.
The scan is used to diagnose mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an early stage of cognitive decline.
It can also help distinguish Alzheimer’s from other forms of dementia such as vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, or dementia with Lewy bodies – conditions that can sometimes have overlapping or misleading symptoms.
Earlier is better
“Alzheimer’s can begin 20 years before symptoms appear,” Dr Ibrahim said.
“If we see plaque in someone in their 40s, we can start modifying their risk factors like controlling diabetes, treating sleep apnoea, or improving vascular health. The goal is to delay or even prevent dementia.”
This new approach is a stark contrast to previous decades, when a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s was considered the equivalent of a death sentence.
"In the past, disclosing Alzheimer’s felt like telling someone they had metastatic cancer," Dr Ibrahim said. "There was no treatment. Now, with better understanding and better tools, we can manage it. Alzheimer’s is becoming more like diabetes – incurable but modifiable. We can slow it down.
"We’ve also pioneered blood-based biomarkers in the UAE, which we’ve been using for the past two years. A blood test alone can sometimes predict Alzheimer’s up to a decade in advance. Combined with the scan, we can offer a much more accurate and earlier diagnosis.”
Who should get checked?
Dr Ibrahim encourages individuals as young as 40 and especially those with high risk factors, to undergo screening.
“If you’re in your mid-40s and have conditions like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, sleep apnoea, or a history of head trauma, you should get assessed,” she said.
“Also, if you’re noticing symptoms or if loved ones are noticing changes – those are red flags.”
Common early signs include:
- Increased forgetfulness or repeating questions
- Trouble with multitasking or decision-making
- Changes in mood, personality, or behaviour
- Mismanaging finances or getting lost while driving
- Decline in cooking skills or personal hygiene
“If loved ones are concerned, you should be concerned,” she said. “In fact, we have screening questionnaires we give to spouses or daughters, who are often the first to notice that something’s not right.”
Not all dementias are the same
Dr Ibrahim also stressed the importance of differentiating between Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.
“Some forms, like frontotemporal dementia, cause severe behavioural issues, disinhibition, hallucinations, or personality changes. These can progress faster and are harder on families. Alzheimer’s can be more manageable by comparison, especially when caught early.
“Vascular dementia, often caused by uncontrolled blood pressure or diabetes, can sometimes be reversed or slowed by managing those conditions. That’s why getting the diagnosis right is essential.
“We’ve had patients who were thought to have dementia but actually had untreated seizures or sleep apnoea. Once those were treated, their cognition improved.”
Setting a new standard
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is now working with the Emirati Genome Project and other institutions to improve screening and research across the country.
“We are collaborating with other healthcare facilities to build a national dementia registry to better understand the landscape,” Dr Ibrahim said.
“Right now, I can’t say whether we have more cases than other countries because my clinic is biased – I only see patients with memory issues. But we do have more risk factors such as diabetes, obesity, sleep disorders so we’re certainly more vulnerable.
“With this technology, Abu Dhabi is setting a new standard for dementia care – not just regionally, but globally.”
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
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Basquiat in Abu Dhabi
One of Basquiat’s paintings, the vibrant Cabra (1981–82), now hangs in Louvre Abu Dhabi temporarily, on loan from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
The latter museum is not open physically, but has assembled a collection and puts together a series of events called Talking Art, such as this discussion, moderated by writer Chaedria LaBouvier.
It's something of a Basquiat season in Abu Dhabi at the moment. Last week, The Radiant Child, a documentary on Basquiat was shown at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and tonight (April 18) the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is throwing the re-creation of a party tonight, of the legendary Canal Zone party thrown in 1979, which epitomised the collaborative scene of the time. It was at Canal Zone that Basquiat met prominent members of the art world and moved from unknown graffiti artist into someone in the spotlight.
“We’ve invited local resident arists, we’ll have spray cans at the ready,” says curator Maisa Al Qassemi of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's Canal Zone Remix is at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Thursday April 18, from 8pm. Free entry to all. Basquiat's Cabra is on view at Louvre Abu Dhabi until October
The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Hili 2: Unesco World Heritage site
The site is part of the Hili archaeological park in Al Ain. Excavations there have proved the existence of the earliest known agricultural communities in modern-day UAE. Some date to the Bronze Age but Hili 2 is an Iron Age site. The Iron Age witnessed the development of the falaj, a network of channels that funnelled water from natural springs in the area. Wells allowed settlements to be established, but falaj meant they could grow and thrive. Unesco, the UN's cultural body, awarded Al Ain's sites - including Hili 2 - world heritage status in 2011. Now the most recent dig at the site has revealed even more about the skilled people that lived and worked there.
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Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
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Key Points
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BMW M5 specs
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In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
