Diagnostic Blood Test for Alzheimer's Disease
Detection of beta amyloid in blood serum for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease
The pathogenic processes of Alzheimer's disease (AD) begin years before clinical symptoms can be observed. Currently there are no definitive diagnostic tests for AD, with the clinical diagnosis of the disease primarily based on subjective methods such as cognitive testing by physicians. There remains a considerable unmet market for a reliable, cost effective and minimally invasive test that would allow early accurate diagnosis of AD and result in improved patient treatment.
The aim of this project is to develop a minimally-invasive, low cost yet reliable diagnostic kit for the routine detection of beta amyloid (Aß) in blood serum. Analysts predict that a diagnostic test for AD in blood serum would generate worldwide annual sales of USD1 billion.
The initial challenge will be to develop a solution capable of isolating and preserving A from the other elements in blood serum. Detection will be achieved using established antibodies for A in combination with the latest technologies in flow cytometry, microspheres, lasers, digital signal processing and traditional chemistry. By harnessing these technologies the proposed test will benefit from being rapid, low cost and reliable. In addition, such a test would improve clinical trials by facilitating better patient recruitment (e.g. more accurate diagnosis) and monitoring of drug efficacy.
As with the imaging research above, this project is being carried out under contract on behalf of Alzhyme Pty Ltd by Professor Ralph Martins and his team of researchers.