2023-11-13 22:47:06
New Portable Device Developed for Early Detection of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
As our population continues to age, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are on the rise. However, a potential breakthrough has recently been made by a research team who has developed a new device that can detect early biomarkers for these diseases in body fluids. The results of this biosensor are said to be just as accurate as previous techniques, but with the added benefits of being portable, non-invasive, and easy to use.
The device has the potential to revolutionize the way neurodegenerative diseases are diagnosed, as it could allow for at-home testing using blood, saliva, or urine samples. This is a significant advancement, as early detection is crucial for the successful treatment and delay of symptoms associated with these diseases.
The research team, led by Tyler Andrew Bodily from the University of California in San Diego, adapted a device that was originally developed to detect proteins of the Sars-CoV-2 virus during the COVID-19 pandemic. They were able to modify this device to detect the specific biomarkers for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s using a chip with special transistors based on the carbon material graphene.
The biosensor works by binding DNA strands to specific electrodes on the chip, which then bind to the biomarkers for the diseases. This changes the strength of the current flow between the electrodes, and the device is able to detect these changes and transmit the results wirelessly to a laptop or smartphone.
In a study, the device was tested with synthetic amyloid proteins as well as amyloid proteins from the brains of deceased Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s patients. The results were promising, as the device was able to detect the specific biomarkers for both diseases with great accuracy. The researchers are hopeful that this new technology will soon be approved for use and available on the market within a year.
The potential impact of this device is significant, as it not only allows for earlier and more convenient testing, but it also has the potential to be modified to detect biomarkers for other diseases. This innovation in the field of early disease detection has the potential to improve the lives of those at risk for neurodegenerative diseases and their families.
Source: Tyler Andrew Bodily (University of California – San Diego) et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, doi: 10.1073/pnas.2311565120]
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