The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology on Monday launched a five-year challenge offering free early detection of Alzheimer’s illness locally by utilizing its globally pioneering blood check know-how.
The program will profit about 6,000 residents aged 60 to 75.
The college mentioned Alzheimer’s is the commonest type of dementia, affecting about 30 p.c of individuals aged 85 or above. With Hong Kong’s inhabitants quickly growing older and the burden of persistent illness sharply rising, it believes the challenge will allow sooner, more practical planning of care options and early intervention, assuaging strain on sufferers and caregivers.
ALSO READ: Chan: HKUST medical school to put city at forefront of innovation
Under this system, which was launched after an earlier pilot trial, some 6,000 aged residents will first bear preliminary cognitive and normal well being assessments. Among them, 2,500 will then obtain standardized cognitive and useful assessments, together with routine blood checks and doctor analysis. Up to 750 might be chosen for blood checks utilizing a multiplex protein biomarker panel — the world’s first of its sort.
In the ultimate stage, 350 contributors will bear remedies like magnetic resonance mind imaging to find out their precise stage of threat. Follow-ups and referrals to medical and neighborhood care will even be supplied, with assessments to be made in two to 3 years.
READ MORE: HKUST sets to fast-track establishment of third medical school
HKUST President Nancy Ip Yuk-yu, who’s a famend neuroscientist, mentioned the college’s modern, less-invasive know-how allows early detection of Alzheimer’s illness that may remodel the trajectory of mind health-giving households, permitting them to plan, search assist and take proactive steps collectively.
Scientific analysis should finally serve the general public, she mentioned, including that the challenge will create a “healthier, more resilient future” for Hong Kong’s growing older society, particularly for the grassroots aged.
READ MORE: HKUST contributes key global perspectives at WEF meeting in Davos
According to Lam Ching-choi, chairman of the SAR authorities’s Advisory Committee on Mental Health, the particular administrative area would have greater than 330,000 dementia sufferers by 2039, with Alzheimer’s being the commonest kind.
He mentioned early detection of the illness amongst high-risk people stays tough, and there’s no efficient remedy up to now.
Emphasizing the significance of early detection and proactive intervention, Lam mentioned this system marks a big step in safeguarding Hong Kong’s psychological well being, and can alleviate strain on sufferers, caregivers and first care companies.
He additionally urged seniors in danger to actively work with main care companies and enhance their life-style habits in order that the illness may be higher curbed.
Contact the author at [email protected]