Every month, I’ll be highlighting Alzheimer’s research that is going on RIGHT NOW! Harvested from different websites, journals and podcasts, I’ll translate them into understandable English and share them with you. Today: In VITRO test for Alzheimer’s markers in Cerebrospinal Fluid!
Up until recently, the only way researchers could detect biomarkers that indicated the accumulation of proteins that are likely the primary cause of Alzheimer’s Disease was to via a spinal tap – or examine the brain tissue after a patient had died. (Such a clinical way to state it…my father passed away three-and-a-half years ago from Alzheimer’s complications from a head injury he got falling off his bed…)
They could also shoot radiation at their heads as well, using Positron Emission Tomography (a PET scan). That’s not the number one choice of doctors and patients everywhere.
So now, the procedure known by the extremely clumsy name Fujirebio Diagnostics’ Lumipulse G β-Amyloid Ratio (1-42/1-40) Test. I’d call it the FDL Test…
But it doesn’t matter what it’s called as long as it does what it’s supposed to do. In this case: “Alzheimer’s is marked by the presence of plaques, or tangles, of beta-amyloid protein in the brain. We can test for them, but until now, the only way to do it was using a PET scan. The new test will do that as well, but requires a spinal tap (which involves inserting a long, thin needle into the lower back, and sucking up a sample of the fluid that’s in the sack around the spine.)
If there’s a strong suspicion of Alzheimer’s in a patient, the doctor can order the test. “The test measures two forms of the protein, referred to as beta-amyloid 42 and beta-amyloid 40. By comparing the amount of each kind, they get a ratio of the two forms of the beta-amyloid. Doing some calculations then can give an idea of whether a person is likely to have amyloid plaques. According to the FDA, using the new test gives results similar to what would be seen in a PET scan.”
Your average PET/CT scanner cost runs between 1.7 million and 2.5 million dollar. Needless to say, your average hospital in Mexico City isn’t going to have one; and if it does, it’s doubtful that the grandmother of a middle-income family would be able to afford it. The new test is much more affordable and will also be more portable.
So, you find out that the patient is likely to have Alzheimer’s. Then what?
Up until recently, the only way researchers could detect biomarkers that indicated the accumulation of proteins that are likely the primary cause of Alzheimer’s Disease was to via a spinal tap – or examine the brain tissue after a patient had died. (Such a clinical way to state it…my father passed away three-and-a-half years ago from Alzheimer’s complications from a head injury he got falling off his bed…)
They could also shoot radiation at their heads as well, using Positron Emission Tomography (a PET scan). That’s not the number one choice of doctors and patients everywhere.
So now, the procedure known by the extremely clumsy name Fujirebio Diagnostics’ Lumipulse G β-Amyloid Ratio (1-42/1-40) Test. I’d call it the FDL Test…
But it doesn’t matter what it’s called as long as it does what it’s supposed to do. In this case: “Alzheimer’s is marked by the presence of plaques, or tangles, of beta-amyloid protein in the brain. We can test for them, but until now, the only way to do it was using a PET scan. The new test will do that as well, but requires a spinal tap (which involves inserting a long, thin needle into the lower back, and sucking up a sample of the fluid that’s in the sack around the spine.)
If there’s a strong suspicion of Alzheimer’s in a patient, the doctor can order the test. “The test measures two forms of the protein, referred to as beta-amyloid 42 and beta-amyloid 40. By comparing the amount of each kind, they get a ratio of the two forms of the beta-amyloid. Doing some calculations then can give an idea of whether a person is likely to have amyloid plaques. According to the FDA, using the new test gives results similar to what would be seen in a PET scan.”
Your average PET/CT scanner cost runs between 1.7 million and 2.5 million dollar. Needless to say, your average hospital in Mexico City isn’t going to have one; and if it does, it’s doubtful that the grandmother of a middle-income family would be able to afford it. The new test is much more affordable and will also be more portable.
So, you find out that the patient is likely to have Alzheimer’s. Then what?
“The importance of early diagnosis is essential to effective treatment. But there’s never been an approved biomarker test anyone could use. With it, more efficient clinical trials for new therapies might be developed, and patients, families, and their doctors might take action much earlier in the disease process.”
It’s not widely available yet, but that’s just a matter of time. The efficacy? Hmmm. If you have a spouse, sibling, parent, or grandparent suffering the early stages of Alzheimer’s, you’ll be holding your breath to see if this new test helps!
Resources: https://pharmaphorum.com/news/fda-approves-first-in-vitro-test-for-early-alzheimers-disease/, https://alzheimersnewstoday.com/2022/05/16/alzheimers-diagnostic-test-lumipulse-given-fda-marketing-permission/
Image: https://i.insider.com/605cf658106eb50019d05b11?width=1000&format=jpeg&auto=webp
It’s not widely available yet, but that’s just a matter of time. The efficacy? Hmmm. If you have a spouse, sibling, parent, or grandparent suffering the early stages of Alzheimer’s, you’ll be holding your breath to see if this new test helps!
Resources: https://pharmaphorum.com/news/fda-approves-first-in-vitro-test-for-early-alzheimers-disease/, https://alzheimersnewstoday.com/2022/05/16/alzheimers-diagnostic-test-lumipulse-given-fda-marketing-permission/
Image: https://i.insider.com/605cf658106eb50019d05b11?width=1000&format=jpeg&auto=webp
No comments:
Post a Comment