Blood Test Detects Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy During Life
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 22 Mar 2016 |
|
Image: The NanoSight LM10 instrument provides an easy-to-use, reproducible platform for nanoparticle characterization (Photo courtesy of Malvern Instruments).
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a tauopathy associated with prior exposure to repetitive head impacts, such as those incurred through American football and other collision sports and diagnosis is made through neuropathological examination.
A method has been developed for measuring plasma exosomal tau. Exosomes are very small vesicles that are released from all types of cells throughout the body, including brain cells. They can be isolated in all body fluids, including plasma, a component of blood.
Scientists at Boston University School of Medicine (MA, USA) and their colleagues examined 78 former National Football League (NFL) players and a control group of 17 former non-contact sport athletes. Extracellular vesicles were isolated from plasma. Fluorescent nanoparticle tracking analysis was used to determine the number of vesicles staining positive for tau. Blood was drawn by venipuncture and immediately processed. Plasma samples were stored in 0.75 mL tubes at -80 °C, packed in dry ice, and shipped overnight in one batch to the Exosome Sciences laboratory (Monmouth Junction, NJ, USA).
Extracellular vesicles were isolated from the plasma samples by size exclusion chromatography. Plasma samples were applied to the column and it was then run isocratically. The elution was monitored at 280 nm and the void volume material (exosome fraction) was collected and pooled. The size profiles and concentrations of the chromatographically isolated exosomes were performed using the Nanosight LM10 instrument (Malvern Instruments Ltd.; Malvern, UK) equipped with a 405 nm laser, a scientific complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (sCMOS) camera and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) software.
The method of measuring plasma exosomal tau is referred to as a TauSome. The groups did not differ in total plasma exosomes, but the NFL group had significantly higher plasma exosomal tau than the control group. The C-statistic is maximized when the plasma exosomal tau level is set to 0. Using 0 as a threshold resulted in 82% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value and 53% negative predictive value. The number of tau-positive plasma exosomes was significantly correlated with performance on standardized tests of memory and psychomotor speed; the higher the TauSome level, the worse the performance.
Jim Joyce, Founder of Exosome Sciences and Chairman and CEO of Aethlon Medical (San Diego, CA, USA), said, “We are extremely pleased that our initial study data has been published and we appreciate forthcoming opportunities to further advance our TauSome biomarker as a noninvasive solution to detect and monitor CTE in living individuals.” The study was published on February 10, 2016, in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
Related Links:
Boston University School of Medicine
Exosome Sciences
Malvern Instruments Ltd.
A method has been developed for measuring plasma exosomal tau. Exosomes are very small vesicles that are released from all types of cells throughout the body, including brain cells. They can be isolated in all body fluids, including plasma, a component of blood.
Scientists at Boston University School of Medicine (MA, USA) and their colleagues examined 78 former National Football League (NFL) players and a control group of 17 former non-contact sport athletes. Extracellular vesicles were isolated from plasma. Fluorescent nanoparticle tracking analysis was used to determine the number of vesicles staining positive for tau. Blood was drawn by venipuncture and immediately processed. Plasma samples were stored in 0.75 mL tubes at -80 °C, packed in dry ice, and shipped overnight in one batch to the Exosome Sciences laboratory (Monmouth Junction, NJ, USA).
Extracellular vesicles were isolated from the plasma samples by size exclusion chromatography. Plasma samples were applied to the column and it was then run isocratically. The elution was monitored at 280 nm and the void volume material (exosome fraction) was collected and pooled. The size profiles and concentrations of the chromatographically isolated exosomes were performed using the Nanosight LM10 instrument (Malvern Instruments Ltd.; Malvern, UK) equipped with a 405 nm laser, a scientific complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (sCMOS) camera and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) software.
The method of measuring plasma exosomal tau is referred to as a TauSome. The groups did not differ in total plasma exosomes, but the NFL group had significantly higher plasma exosomal tau than the control group. The C-statistic is maximized when the plasma exosomal tau level is set to 0. Using 0 as a threshold resulted in 82% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value and 53% negative predictive value. The number of tau-positive plasma exosomes was significantly correlated with performance on standardized tests of memory and psychomotor speed; the higher the TauSome level, the worse the performance.
Jim Joyce, Founder of Exosome Sciences and Chairman and CEO of Aethlon Medical (San Diego, CA, USA), said, “We are extremely pleased that our initial study data has been published and we appreciate forthcoming opportunities to further advance our TauSome biomarker as a noninvasive solution to detect and monitor CTE in living individuals.” The study was published on February 10, 2016, in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
Related Links:
Boston University School of Medicine
Exosome Sciences
Malvern Instruments Ltd.
New
Gold Member
POC Helicobacter Pylori Test Kit
Hepy Urease Test
HPV Test
Allplex HPV28 Detection
Steam Sterilizer
Hi Vac II Line
Latest Clinical Chem. News
- Blood Test on a Chip Offers Low-Cost Lung Cancer Detection Without DNA Sequencing
- Portable Troponin Assay Brings Heart Attack Diagnosis Closer to Patients
- Blood Biomarker Reveals Hidden Disability Progression in Multiple Sclerosis
- Machine Learning Model Shows Promise for Improving Metanephrine Testing Accuracy
- Blood Test Enters UK Primary Care Pathway for Earlier Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
- Common HbA1c Assay May Miss Diabetes in People with Sickle Cell Trait
- Blood Protein Panel Predicts Timing of ALS Symptom Onset
- Siemens Adds CE-Marked Capillary Claims for 24 Assays on Atellica Analyzers
- Preoperative Blood Test Predicts Colorectal Cancer Recurrence and Metastasis
- New Machine-Learning Equation Improves LDL Cholesterol Assessment
- Ultrasensitive Biosensor Detects Early Liver Fibrosis from Blood
- Blood Biomarker May Signal Cognitive Decline Risk a Decade Before Symptoms
- Blood Test Improves Alzheimer’s Diagnosis Across Care Settings
- New Immunoassay Enables Ultrasensitive Blood-Based Tau Tangle Measurement
- Blood Hormone Pattern Distinguishes Endometriosis with High Accuracy
- Blood Test Brings Alzheimer’s Biomarker Assessment to Routine Labs
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Blood Test on a Chip Offers Low-Cost Lung Cancer Detection Without DNA Sequencing
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, and screening often yields indeterminate results that prompt invasive workups. Computed tomography (CT) detects small nodules but can flag benign... Read more
Portable Troponin Assay Brings Heart Attack Diagnosis Closer to Patients
Timely confirmation of myocardial infarction often depends on laboratory testing that may not be immediately available at the point of care. This gap between clinical suspicion and definitive evidence... Read more
Molecular Diagnostics
view channel
Whole-Cell Genomic Analysis Expands the Potential of Liquid Biopsy
Liquid biopsy has expanded access to tumor genomics, but most blood-based assays rely on short, degraded fragments of cell-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Isolating intact circulating tumor cells from... Read more
Blood Test Could Help Fast-Track Lymphoma Diagnosis in Resource-Limited Settings
Lymphoma can be difficult to distinguish from infections and benign conditions, while definitive diagnosis often depends on surgical tissue sampling and specialized pathology that may not be readily available.... Read more
Hematology
view channel
New Genetic Findings Reveal Cause of Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome
Inherited bone marrow failure syndromes (IBMFS) impair the bone marrow’s ability to produce sufficient healthy blood cells and are associated with an increased risk of early-onset myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).... Read more
Ultra-Portable Device Enables Finger-Prick Blood Testing at Home
Patients who need frequent blood tests often face repeated clinic visits that burden services and disrupt care. In the UK, millions of tests are performed each year to diagnose disease, guide therapy,... Read more
Immunology
view channel
Study Reveals Viral Protein Driving COVID-19-Related Vascular Injury
Lingering symptoms after acute COVID-19 infection remain a clinical challenge, with many patients experiencing fatigue, cognitive problems, and cardiovascular complications months later.... Read more
Study Reveals Immune Mechanism Driving Severe COVID-19 Progression
Severe COVID-19 has highlighted gaps in understanding of early antiviral responses, particularly why some patients deteriorate despite timely care. Type I interferons are central to host defense, yet their... Read more
Antibody Profiling Identifies Preclinical Inflammatory Bowel Disease Years Before Diagnosis
Inflammatory bowel disease often develops after a prolonged symptom-free period, complicating timely recognition and clinical intervention. Limited understanding of immune activity during this silent phase... Read more
Microbiology
view channel
Precision Screening Helps Close Hepatitis C Diagnosis and Treatment Gaps
Hepatitis C remains a leading cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer, yet many infections go undiagnosed or untreated because health systems fail to reach those at greatest risk. Although highly effective... Read more
Proteomic Workflow Maps Microbial and Host Responses in Intestinal Inflammation
The intestinal microbiome influences digestion, metabolism, and immunity, yet its complexity makes functional measurements difficult to obtain. DNA surveys can indicate which organisms and potential pathways... Read more
Metagenomic Sequencing Enables Faster Diagnosis of Respiratory Infections in Cystic Fibrosis
Serious lung infections remain a major cause of morbidity among people with cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening genetic disorder characterized by persistent airway colonization and frequent antimicrobial exposure.... Read more
Technology
view channel
Interoperable Data Platform Standardizes Multi-Cancer Blood Test Results
Proteotype Diagnostics has introduced Alchemi, a proprietary data and clinical workflow platform being developed for Enlighten, the company’s investigational blood-based multi-cancer test.... Read more
Training Device Improves Accuracy of Pooled Molecular Diagnostics
High-throughput molecular diagnostics have transformed infectious disease detection, but many workflows remain difficult to execute accurately without extensive training. Sample pooling can cut per‑test... Read more
New CE-Certified Software Advances Whole-Genome Cancer Testing
European hospitals are increasingly using comprehensive tumor genomics to guide therapy, but routine whole genome sequencing (WGS) requires validated, regulation-compliant workflows. A newly CE-certified... Read more
National Rare Disease Registry Standardizes Genetic and Clinical Data for Coordinated Care
Rare diseases collectively impose a significant clinical burden despite their individual rarity, often involving multisystem presentations and prolonged diagnostic journeys. Limited specialist expertise... Read moreIndustry
view channel
Standardized Staining Technology Advances Digital Pathology Workflows
Digital pathology is increasingly used to streamline cancer diagnostics, yet staining variability can hinder slide interpretation and limit the reliability of artificial intelligence tools.... Read more
Global Testing Service Advances Leukemia MRD Monitoring
KMT2A rearrangements drive aggressive subsets of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and are associated with relapse and poor outcomes. As menin inhibitors enter clinical... Read more
