Indian scientists develop smartphone-based technology for affordable Alzheimer’s diagnosis

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Aug 27, 2026: Indian scientists have developed a smartphone-integrated technology that could make the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease more affordable, accessible and user-friendly.

Researchers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, have developed ADxFluor, a fluorescence lifetime-responsive probe designed for smartphone-based detection of amyloid-beta (Aβ) fibrils, a key biomarker associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

According to estimates by the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI), around 7.6 million people in India are expected to be living with the condition by 2030. Diagnosis remains challenging as there is no single test for Alzheimer’s and its symptoms can overlap with those of other age-related conditions.

The new technology uses a tiny molecule called TZ-48, which changes its fluorescence properties when it interacts with Aβ. These changes are captured and measured using a dedicated smartphone application, enabling rapid and user-friendly detection.

The technology is based on fluorescence lifetime imaging, a sensing technique in which fluorescence lifetime is relatively independent of probe concentration and photobleaching. This can improve the reliability of biomarker detection.

The researchers said ADxFluor could offer a simple and cost-effective approach for detecting Aβ, with potential applications in the screening and staging of Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that causes memory loss, cognitive decline and behavioural changes. A key feature of the disease is the abnormal folding and accumulation of Aβ proteins, which form plaque-like deposits around brain cells and contribute to neuronal damage.

The National Institute on Aging–Alzheimer’s Association (NIA-AA) framework identifies amyloid-beta, tau and neurodegeneration as core biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis.

While techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provide valuable diagnostic information, their high cost, specialised infrastructure and requirement for trained personnel can limit their widespread use.

Blood-based tests targeting Aβ and tau have also emerged as promising alternatives, but their cost and technical complexity remain challenges. The researchers believe smartphone-integrated technologies such as ADxFluor could help address these limitations by providing a more accessible platform for early biomarker detection.