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.

NDDL logo

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).

CJD testing specifications

Samples:

Please download the Sample Collection Instruction Sheet (PDF, 392KB). 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, 319KB).
  • 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 14-3-3 ELISA and RT-QuIC are run weekly on a Tuesday and Thursday, respectively. Tau is performed weekly on a Monday.

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:

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

Complaints

Complaints about the NDDL operations can be forwarded to the NDDL Directors, Professor Steven Collins and/or Professor Colin Masters.

Complaints related to the NDDL research specific operations or potential breaches of ethical responsibilities can be forwarded to the University of Melbourne’s Human Research Ethics Committee:

Manager
Human Research Ethics Office for Research Ethics and Integrity
The University of Melbourne VIC 3010
T 03 8344 2073
E [email protected]