Developing POC Tests for Alzheimer’s to Improve Monitoring and Management of the Disease
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 22 Mar 2016 |

Image: Illustration of a protocol showing a pathway to develop core-shell nanoparticle/hybrid graphene oxide based multi-functional platform label-free SERS detection of β-amyloid toward developing a portable point-of-care blood test to monitor Alzheimer’s disease progression (Figure courtesy of Teresa Demeritt et al., 2015, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces; Copyright ACS-2015).
Toward development of a portable point-of-care (POC) biosensor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a new review explores recent advancements in nano-enabling electrochemical beta-amyloid (β-A) -sensing technologies. A simple, rapid POC biomarker test could greatly improve AD management and personalized treatment, also in developing countries.
The authors of the review, from the College of Medicine at Florida International University (Miami, FL, USA), are taking a new approach to diagnosing AD: measuring β-A in the blood with a POC test. AD is caused by high levels of β-A in the brain that lead to degeneration of brain cells. Various types of scans and immunoassays, such as MRI and ELISA, are available to estimate β-A levels in the brain. But the peptide can also be found at lower levels in blood, making it a useful biomarker for a simple test.
Currently there is no sensitive or inexpensive way to measure β-A levels in blood samples. The authors of the new review plan to change that. “We want to develop a point-of-care system where a small drop of blood plasma can reveal their β-A level immediately so that a doctor can tailor a patient’s therapy immediately,” said lead author Dr. Ajeet Kaushik, “The drugs used to treat AD can have side effects, so it’s better for patients not to overdose. With the right data, doctors can respond quickly to changes in a patient’s brain by reducing or increasing their dose.”
In the review, Dr. Kaushik and colleagues looked at each of the methods available to measure β-A concentration in brain tissue and in blood. None of the existing tests can be done at the bedside and all need special expertise and large samples. They also take a long time to generate a useful result—the main existing test, an ELISA, takes 6–8 hours. In comparison, the cheap, simple biosensor Dr. Kaushik and colleagues describe can measure β-A in the blood at low (pico molar) concentrations in just 30 minutes.
“Even though existing technologies are well established, we need to move towards small sample, high accuracy tests that can be used in all environments, from developed countries to rural settings. Our goal is to develop a test that’s sensitive, small, and affordable,” said Dr. Kaushik. To develop the new biosensor, the team will need many bio-fluid samples taken at different stages of the disease. Finding these samples will be challenging, but the review demonstrates that a biosensor is achievable. Such a test would also “show if and when the disease reaches an untreatable level. In the future we hope a rapid biosensor test for AD will help scientists study disease progression and help clinicians deliver personalized therapy to patients.”
The study, by Kaushik A et al., was published online ahead of print January 28, 2016, in the journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics.
Related Links:
Florida International University
The authors of the review, from the College of Medicine at Florida International University (Miami, FL, USA), are taking a new approach to diagnosing AD: measuring β-A in the blood with a POC test. AD is caused by high levels of β-A in the brain that lead to degeneration of brain cells. Various types of scans and immunoassays, such as MRI and ELISA, are available to estimate β-A levels in the brain. But the peptide can also be found at lower levels in blood, making it a useful biomarker for a simple test.
Currently there is no sensitive or inexpensive way to measure β-A levels in blood samples. The authors of the new review plan to change that. “We want to develop a point-of-care system where a small drop of blood plasma can reveal their β-A level immediately so that a doctor can tailor a patient’s therapy immediately,” said lead author Dr. Ajeet Kaushik, “The drugs used to treat AD can have side effects, so it’s better for patients not to overdose. With the right data, doctors can respond quickly to changes in a patient’s brain by reducing or increasing their dose.”
In the review, Dr. Kaushik and colleagues looked at each of the methods available to measure β-A concentration in brain tissue and in blood. None of the existing tests can be done at the bedside and all need special expertise and large samples. They also take a long time to generate a useful result—the main existing test, an ELISA, takes 6–8 hours. In comparison, the cheap, simple biosensor Dr. Kaushik and colleagues describe can measure β-A in the blood at low (pico molar) concentrations in just 30 minutes.
“Even though existing technologies are well established, we need to move towards small sample, high accuracy tests that can be used in all environments, from developed countries to rural settings. Our goal is to develop a test that’s sensitive, small, and affordable,” said Dr. Kaushik. To develop the new biosensor, the team will need many bio-fluid samples taken at different stages of the disease. Finding these samples will be challenging, but the review demonstrates that a biosensor is achievable. Such a test would also “show if and when the disease reaches an untreatable level. In the future we hope a rapid biosensor test for AD will help scientists study disease progression and help clinicians deliver personalized therapy to patients.”
The study, by Kaushik A et al., was published online ahead of print January 28, 2016, in the journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics.
Related Links:
Florida International University
Latest Pathology News
- AI Tool Accurately Determines Breast Cancer Prognosis
- Powerful New Tool Improves Tissue Cancer Analysis
- AI-Based Tool Measures Cancer Aggressiveness
- Novel Method Tracks Cancer Treatment in Cells Without Dyes or Labels
- New AI-Based Method Effectively Identifies Disease Phenotypes Using Light-Based Imaging
- AI Accurately Predicts Genetic Mutations from Routine Pathology Slides for Faster Cancer Care
- AI Tool Enhances Interpretation of Tissue Samples by Pathologists
- AI-Assisted Technique Tracks Cells Damaged from Injury, Aging and Disease
- Novel Fluorescent Probe Shows Potential in Precision Cancer Diagnostics and Fluorescence-Guided Surgery
- New Lab Model to Help Find Treatments for Aggressive Blood Cancer
- AI-Supported Microscopy Improves Detection of Intestinal Parasite Infections
- AI Performs Virtual Tissue Staining at Super-Resolution
- AI-Driven Preliminary Testing for Pancreatic Cancer Enhances Prognosis
- Cancer Chip Accurately Predicts Patient-Specific Chemotherapy Response
- Clinical AI Solution for Automatic Breast Cancer Grading Improves Diagnostic Accuracy
- Saliva-Based Testing to Enable Early Detection of Cancer, Heart Disease or Parkinson’s
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Skin Swabs Could Detect Parkinson’s Years Before Symptoms Appear
Parkinson’s disease is notoriously difficult to diagnose in its early stages, as motor symptoms do not appear until later in the progression of the disease. The ability to detect the disease up to seven... Read more
New Clinical Chemistry Analyzer Designed to Meet Growing Demands of Modern Labs
A new clinical chemistry analyzer is designed to provide outstanding performance and maximum efficiency, without compromising affordability, to meet the growing demands of modern laboratories.... Read more
New Reference Measurement Procedure Standardizes Nucleic Acid Amplification Test Results
Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) play a key role in diagnosing a wide range of infectious diseases. These tests are generally known for their high sensitivity and specificity, and they can be developed... Read moreMolecular Diagnostics
view channel
Highly Accurate Biomarkers Could Detect Ovarian Cancer Before Clinical Diagnosis
Ovarian cancer is a deadly and challenging disease, primarily because early detection is difficult. Most women (70-75%) are diagnosed only after the cancer has already spread, which significantly reduces... Read more
New Gene Tool to Enable Earlier Detection and Treatment of Cardiometabolic Diseases
Cardiometabolic diseases, which affect the heart, blood vessels, and the body's ability to process food and generate energy, are difficult to diagnose early due to the complex genetic changes that contribute... Read moreHematology
view channel
Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results
Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more
First Point-of-Care Heparin Monitoring Test Provides Results in Under 15 Minutes
Heparin dosing requires careful management to avoid both bleeding and clotting complications. In high-risk situations like extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), mortality rates can reach about 50%,... Read moreMicrobiology
view channel
Early Detection of Gut Microbiota Metabolite Linked to Atherosclerosis Could Revolutionize Diagnosis
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and atherosclerosis plays a critical role in its development. This chronic condition, characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries... Read more
Viral Load Tests Can Help Predict Mpox Severity
Mpox is a viral infection that causes flu-like symptoms and a characteristic rash, which evolves significantly over time and varies between patients. The disease spreads mainly through direct contact with... Read more
Gut Microbiota Analysis Enables Early and Non-Invasive Detection of Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disorder marked by abnormal glucose metabolism during pregnancy, typically emerging in the mid to late stages. It significantly heightens the risk of... Read morePathology
view channel
AI Tool Accurately Determines Breast Cancer Prognosis
A new study has found that cells and tissues surrounding a breast cancer tumor may hold critical information about how patients will respond to treatment. The research, published in the journal Patterns,... Read more
Powerful New Tool Improves Tissue Cancer Analysis
Studying the mix of cell types in human tissue is crucial for understanding diseases like cancer, but it presents significant challenges in both accuracy and scalability. The tumor microenvironment, composed... Read moreTechnology
view channel
Electronic Biosensors Used to Detect Pathogens Can Rapidly Detect Cancer Cells
A major challenge in healthcare is the early and affordable detection of serious diseases such as cancer. Early diagnosis remains difficult due to the complexity of identifying specific genetic markers... Read more
Safer, Portable and Low-Cost Imaging Solution to Revolutionize Biomedical Diagnostics
In diagnosing diseases and monitoring treatment, accurate and quick detection of temperature within biological tissues can be crucial, especially in early disease detection. Conventional methods such as... Read more
Multifunctional Nanomaterial Simultaneously Performs Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, and Immune Activation
Cancer treatments, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, have significant limitations. These treatments not only target cancerous areas but also damage healthy tissues, causing side effects... Read moreIndustry
view channel
QuidelOrtho and BÜHLMANN Collaborate on Gastrointestinal Biomarker Tests
QuidelOrtho Corporation (San Diego, CA, USA) and BÜHLMANN Laboratories AG (Schönenbuch, Switzerland) have announced the availability of the BÜHLMANN fCAL turbo and fPELA turbo assays on QuidelOrtho's... Read more