National Dementia Diagnostics Laboratory
The National Dementia Diagnostics Laboratory (NDDL), located at The Florey, is a NATA/ILAC accredited pathology testing laboratory.
The NDDL is the only accredited pathology testing laboratory in Australia that provides cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diagnostic testing for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).
The NDDL provides diagnostic services to the medical community, scientific researchers and the pharmaceutical industry and is a collaboration between The Florey and the University of Melbourne.
CSF test for AD
The Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Assay for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is an ante-mortem diagnostic test that detects alterations in biomarker protein levels, Abeta1-42, phospho-tau (P-tau), and total Tau (T-tau) in fresh CSF, which are reported to be directly related to the pathophysiology of the disease. These CSF biomarkers offer ~90% sensitivity and specificity for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
Neurofilament Light
Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a non-specific biomarker of central nervous system neuronal injury. It is used together with clinical correlation and is not yet NATA accredited.
CSF tests for CJD
These tests include the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited CJD biomarker panel (14-3-3 and total-tau proteins) and RT-QuIC assay (currently not NATA accredited).
Samples:
Please download the Sample Collection Instruction Sheet (PDF, 401KB) (Version 1, July 2022). For optimal sample collection, the NDDL recommends:
- Collect directly into the blue capped tube (Sarstedt 63.614.625). DO NOT FREEZE the sample under any circumstance. CSF collected into any other tube type is considered unsuitable for Abeta1-42.
- Must be accompanied by the CSF Specimen Data Sheet (PDF, 301KB) (Version 3, October 2023).
- CSF in the blue capped tube is also suitable for NfL (not NATA accredited) and CJD biomarker testing.
Testing fees
There is currently no Medicare rebate for the NDDL AD Biomarker testing. For private patients, a signed payment agreement for the test on the request form is required.
The Alzheimer’s disease biomarker test includes Abeta1-42, P-tau and T-tau and the cost is $400 (effective from July 2023).
The cost for the Neurofilament Light chain testing is $200.
CJD Biomarker testing for domestic samples incurs no fee. International samples incur a fee of $AUD 500.00.
Testing schedule
The AD Biomarker test is run weekly and samples received by Friday are included in the following week’s test. By pre-arrangement with NDDL, a report for urgent samples may be issued within two days after sample receipt with an additional cost of $100. NfL testing is run in batches, every 2–4 weeks.
The 14-3-3 Western Blot is a two-day procedure currently run weekly on a Tuesday/Wednesday. Tau is performed weekly on a Monday and RT-QuIC is performed weekly on a Thursday.
Clinician resources
Australian-registered healthcare professionals can visit the ADBioHub to access educational resources including:
- Podcast: Explore biomarker testing for Alzheimer’s disease
- Podcast: Unravel the neuropathology of Alzheimer’s disease
Find out more about CJD testing at the Australian National CJD Registry.
Contact
NDDL – AD Biomarker Test
E [email protected]
P +61 3 9035 7243
F +61 3 9349 5105
CJD Biomarker Test
E [email protected]
P +61 3 8344 1949 (8am–4pm, Monday – Friday)
F +61 3 9349 5105
Delivery
Attn: NDDL-AD and/or ANCJDR
National Dementia Diagnostics Laboratory
The Florey
Kenneth Myer Building
30 Royal Parade (corner of Genetics Lane)
Enter via Gate 11, rear loading dock
Parkville Victoria 3010
The NDDL is closed on public holidays. Please hold all diagnostic samples for AD biomarker testing at 4 degrees Celsius during affected periods. CJD diagnostic samples should be stored frozen during closure periods. Contact the relevant testing group for further information.
NDDL management
Professor Steven Collins – Director/Designated person
Professor Colin Masters – Delegated Medical Specialist
Associate Professor Qiao-Xin Li – Co-Manager AD
Dr Christiane Stehmann – Co-Manager CJD
Dr Ian Birchall – Quality Manager
Ms Shannon Sarros – Assistant Quality Manager
Research and postdoctoral fellows
Dr Laura Ellett – Research Scientist
Dr Vicki Lewis –Research Scientist
Dr Matteo Senesi – Research Scientist
Research and technical staff
Ms Amelia McGlade – Research Assistant CJD
Ms Shiji Varghese – Research Assistant AD