What is the Asia-Pacific Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis?

Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and Roche Diagnostics Australia have announced the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnostics. This will enable earlier and more accurate detection of Alzheimer’s disease pathology detection through advanced blood-based and spinal fluid biomarker testing.

To receive more information about the Asia-Pacific Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis, please complete the form below.

What tests will be available via the Asia-Pacific Centre of Excellence?

Roche has one of the first inclusions on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods for blood tests for Alzheimer’s Disease, which means they are approved for use in Australia. Two of the tests identify the presence of “Alzheimer’s pathology”, which means the presence of proteins that it’s believed contribute to the development of the disease over many years. The Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Diagnosis will process:

• pTau217 - a rule in or rule out test for Alzheimer’s pathology, delivering greater diagnostic specificity, for people with cognitive symptoms.
• pTau181 - a rule out test for Alzheimer’s pathology in people experiencing cognitive symptoms.
• APOE ε4 testing that identifies if an APOE4 protein is present. If positive, then further genetic based testing is required to determine if one or two copies are present. This testing is currently only recommended for people with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

Can I get these tests now?

Currently, the Asia Pacific Centre of Excellence will process these tests for clinical trials and research studies. Within the next few months, the clinical assays will be available (provisionally expected in October 2026) to provide the tests for specialists in clinical practice. To register your interest in these trials or to get more information as a medical practitioner, please fill in the form below.

What should I do if I have concerns about cognitive symptoms, ie memory loss or confusion?

See your GP in the first instance to discuss your symptoms. Your GP may refer you to a specialist who may recommend specialised cognitive testing, potentially including the new blood tests once available.

Why is this important?

The new tests identify pathological changes in the blood and spinal fluid, including the presence of proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Currently these tests are only recommended clinically for people with cognitive symptoms. These tests allow for improved access to diagnostics that in turn allows for earlier detection, earlier intervention and possible access to medicines able to slow the disease’s progression.

As the evidence matures and emerges these may become available for people at risk of Alzheimer’s disease – and research studies including the studies conducted at the Centre of Excellence will eventually inform how we can use these tests for prevention.

Importantly – this blood test is designed specifically for the proteins related to Alzheimer's dementia. It cannot be used to determine other causes of cognitive symptoms or identity other dementia syndromes – and must be conducted alongside a detailed cognitive assessment.

Why should we be worried about dementia?

Dementia is now the leading cause of death in Australia, affecting more than 446,500 people today and projected to exceed one million by 2065. The human, social and economic toll is immense, with annual costs already surpassing $4.7 billion and escalating pressure on families, clinicians and the broader health system. From a regional perspective, the Asia-Pacific region will carry more than 50% of the global dementia burden, further reinforcing the critical need for improved diagnostics and treatments, underpinning the goals of the NeuRA-Roche partnership.

Is Alzheimer’s disease the same as dementia?

Dementia is a group of diseases that cause neurodegeneration. Alzheimer’s accounts for 60% to 70% of all dementia cases.

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