Dubai Health Announces Amyloid PET Scans to Advance Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s in the UAE

Dubai Health, has introduced amyloid PET scans, making the service available in the UAE. The advanced imaging technique allows physicians to detect Alzheimer’s at its earliest stages, giving patients more accurate diagnoses of cognitive decline and opening access to timely, targeted treatments.

Available at Dubai Molecular Imaging Center, the service enables physicians to detect amyloid plaque buildup in the brain, an early marker of Alzheimer’s disease, years before symptoms appear. It improves diagnostic accuracy by distinguishing Alzheimer’s from conditions such as vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia, ensuring patients receive treatment plans that are better tailored to their needs.

The amyloid PET scans, which began in Dubai Hospital in April also includes the UAE’s first amyloid-targeted therapy program. By combining diagnosis and treatment, it positions the country at the forefront of neurological care in the region.

Commenting on the launch, Dr. Usama Mohammad AlBastaki, Chair of Medical Imaging at Dubai Health, said: “Introducing amyloid PET scans is a valuable addition to Dubai Health’s system of care. It reflects our commitment to adopting advanced diagnostic solutions that improve outcomes and allow physicians to intervene earlier in complex neurological cases.”

He added: “The technology makes it possible to identify dementia subtypes with precision, a significant step forward in daily clinical practice. It also provides the scientific basis for new targeted therapies that can modify the course of disease rather than simply treat symptoms, in line with Dubai Health’s Patient First promise.”

For her part, Dr. Batool Albalooshi Head & consultant Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging- Radionuclide and molecular therapy, Dubai Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Center, Dubai Hospital, said the adoption of amyloid PET imaging in the UAE marks a major advance in neurological diagnostics, giving patients accurate and reliable information about their condition while opening access to the latest medical advancements that target amyloid protein and help slow memory decline in the early stages.

She added: “Besides adopting innovative solutions, Dubai Molecular Imaging Center is committed to leading discoveries and developing new diagnostics and therapies, to advance precision medicine in ways that improve patient outcomes, strengthen clinical decision-making, and support the broader healthcare system in addressing complex neurological conditions.”

The advance scan is recommended for people over 40 with chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension, those experiencing mild cognitive impairment, or patients with inconclusive dementia diagnoses. It also supports individuals eligible for disease-modifying therapies and families seeking precise diagnosis to guide future care planning.