Diagnostic Kits Detect Early Stage Neurodegenerative Diseases

Diagnostic kits are being developed that use a simple blood test to detect neurodegenerative diseases at a very early stage.

The kits are based on findings that key cellular immunologic components needed to fight off neurodegenerative diseases appear to malfunction in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. An array of biomarkers has been identified and will be used for diagnosis of these diseases, which include Alzheimer's (AD), Parkinson's (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Currently, neurodegenerative diseases are diagnosed according to clinical symptoms often only after the disease has reached an advanced stage. No objective tests for early diagnosis are available. Drugs used to treat these diseases have limited impact, are ineffective, or even detrimental in the case of late or missed diagnosis. Early diagnosis offers tremendous benefits: potential to slow down or stop the progression of the disease; time to plan (care options, finances); and crucial information for advancing development of safer, more effective drugs. There is a critical need for tests that can accurately detect these diseases in the early stages.

NeuroQuest (Misgav, Israel) is developing diagnostic kits that use a simple blood test to detect neurodegenerative diseases at a very early stage. The company's biomarkers are functional markers that reflect the activity and specificity mode of the immune system. The immune system's mode of activity may prove to be a primary risk factor for developing a neurodegenerative disease. As such, the profile of the immune system will be used for both diagnosing the disease and determining the most appropriate therapy.


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