Tests on fluid collected from the spine to detect Alzheimer’s disease early are being carried out locally now at the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI), cutting costs by more than half. They now cost about $810 (before GST), after the local tests started on Feb 5, compared with $1,700 (before GST) previously, when the vials of cerebrospinal fluid were sent to laboratories overseas for the tests.
Cerebrospinal fluid is a clear, colourless fluid in the tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. The doctor conducts a spinal tap by inserting a hollow needle into the space surrounding the spinal column in the lower back to withdraw the cerebrospinal fluid, which is then tested for protein markers called amyloid and tau. Associate Professor Ng Kok Pin, a dementia specialist from the department of neurology at NNI, said that through the cerebrospinal fluid, doctors are able to better detect the two proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease
Source: Healthcare Press (healthcarepress.net)
Alzheimer's Disease Early Detection Local Tests National Neuroscience Institute Cerebrospinal Fluid