2026 – some are calling it the most “game-changing” year for dementia research and treatment.
With a new blood test for Alzheimer’s, advanced imaging has become even more valuable to the dementia research community.
There are 2 initial reasons: 1) imaging has been absolutely crucial in developing the blood test, and 2) imaging remains the gold standard for diagnosing and measuring its progression.
Researchers increasingly need precise ways to see and monitor what’s happening inside people’s brains for research, clinical trials and even developing new treatments. Imaging tells us what treatments work and why.
Advanced imaging has moved from being the gold standard method of diagnosis to supporting how Alzheimer’s is found, mapped and monitored – but all much earlier than we used to be able.
Sophisticated imaging can now support this diagnostic work even more, and long-term tracking of the disease for treatment. Perhaps repeated MRI/PET scans can soon help clinicians detect the earliest point that interventions make a meaningful difference to patients.
At NIF, we are proud that advanced imaging continues to form a vital component in an increasingly sophisticated precision neurology pipeline for patients.
And an important shout out to our NeuRA Imaging NIF Node colleagues pictured in the article – and the NIF instrument – who are doing important parts of this work, via UNSW and Core Research Facilities, University of Sydney.
This comment reflects on this Age article about dementia breakthroughs.