On World Alzheimer’s Day, the Department of Neurology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, called for greater public awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, stressing that early diagnosis has become increasingly important with the availability of newer disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer’s disease in India.
At a press conference held today, senior faculty members Prof.Dheeraj Khurana, Dr. Sucharita Ray, Additional Professor and Dr. Karthik V.M, Associate Professor from Deptt. of Neurology and Prof. Indu Verma from Deptt. of Biochemistry highlighted the need for timely diagnosis, accurate identification of different causes of dementia, advanced diagnostic tools and stronger support systems for patients and caregivers.
Prof. Dheeraj Khurana highlighted that the treatment landscape for Alzheimer’s disease has changed significantly, making early recognition of symptoms more important than ever.
“With disease-modifying medicines now available for Alzheimer’s disease in India, early diagnosis has assumed greater importance. These treatments are most effective in the early, mild stages of the disease. Timely diagnosis allows us to assess treatment eligibility and also helps families plan care better and maintain the patient’s quality of life,” he said.
Prof. Khurana urged families not to dismiss persistent memory problems and changes in daily functioning as merely a normal consequence of ageing.
Dr. Sucharita Ray stressed that dementia is not a single disease and that identifying its underlying cause is essential for appropriate treatment.
“Dementia is a syndrome caused by several different diseases, and each patient needs to be evaluated carefully to identify the underlying cause. Early diagnosis can make a meaningful difference to treatment and care. At the same time, dementia is a family issue, not just a patient issue, and caregivers need our attention and support,” she said.
Highlighting the often-overlooked impact on caregivers, Dr. Ray said families caring for people with dementia frequently face substantial physical, emotional and financial stress.
“Caregivers carry a significant part of the dementia burden. Supporting the caregiver is therefore an essential part of supporting the patient,” she added.
A major development announced at the press conference was the Department’s plan to introduce a panel of body-fluid tests for Alzheimer’s disease.
Prof. Indu Verma said the advanced diagnostic facility would strengthen the Institute’s ability to identify Alzheimer’s disease more accurately and at an earlier stage. “The Department will shortly commence a panel of body-fluid tests for Alzheimer’s disease. These advanced investigations can facilitate more accurate and earlier identification of cases and may also help in monitoring treatment effects and assessing potential therapeutic interventions,” Prof. Verma said.
The move is expected to further strengthen the Department’s diagnostic capabilities in neurodegenerative diseases and support more precise evaluation of patients.
Drawing attention to the broader health challenges associated with dementia, Dr. Karthik emphasised that patients often have comorbid conditions, including depression, which need to be identified and addressed as part of comprehensive care.
“Dementia rarely affects the patient in isolation. Conditions such as depression can coexist with dementia and influence the overall course of care. At the same time, the impact is felt across the family, with caregivers often carrying a considerable burden,” he said.
The Department also announced that it is working on organisational changes to streamline dementia management pathways at PGIMER. A patient support programme is also being planned to provide patients and families with additional guidance and support.
Prof. Dheeraj Khurana said the initiatives are aimed at making dementia care more structured and patient-centred.
“Our focus is to streamline the dementia care pathway so that patients can move more efficiently from diagnosis to appropriate treatment and follow-up. We are also working towards a patient support programme that can provide families with greater guidance throughout this journey,” he said.
The Department of Neurology reiterated its commitment to improving dementia care through early diagnosis, newer treatment options, advanced investigations, multidisciplinary management and caregiver support.
On World Alzheimer’s Day, the Department appealed to the public to recognise persistent memory and cognitive changes early and seek medical advice rather than attributing them automatically to ageing.
