Researchers from Olsztyn are working on Alzheimer's early detection tests

The method of early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease that you are working on is based on the detection of specific markers in the patient’s blood. What is the basis of the test and what markers apart from β-amyloid can be useful?

Professor Hanna Radecka: Currently, the area of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) detection is being intensively developed. In our studies we are not focused on searching for novel markers. Instead, we cooperate with researchers from Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics of Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw  that are specialized in the investigation of potent markers useful in terms of AD diagnosis. This  research was performed within the project POIG.01.01.02-00-048/09. Importantly, in my opinion for early diagnosis of AD, the determination of presence of only one marker is not enough. As the whole pathogenic process is extremely complex, we need to propose several molecules that will be examined. Indeed nowadays, it is β-amyloid that is most popularly tested as an early marker of the disease. The most important thing is to determine the ratio of its forms – monomeric and oligomeric. From the perspective of diagnosis, the process of oligomerization is of crucial importance as it can serve as an “alarm signal”. So now we are trying to investigate the relation between these two forms and propose how this can be used for diagnosis.

The basis of our method is the usage of ‘sensors” dedicated for particular molecules. Apart from β-amyloid, we also proposed other protein, S100B that is also associated with the development of AD. In general, as our strategy, we would like to provide tools enabling detection of several molecular markers and determination of their concentration as well as relation between them. Altogether, information derived from such results would give answer whether the disease is truly developing or not.

All the time, we are following the newest scientific reports and we are trying to find partners that would provide us markers for testing. Despite the fact that the AD field is developing really quickly, still the exact mechanism of the disease progression somehow remains mysterious. The number of researchers trying to resolve all the puzzles associated with AD is constantly growing, and we are trying to keep in touch with them in order to propose successful systems for an early diagnosis.

You mentioned that your detection method is based on „sensors”. Could you explain what they are?

Professor Hanna Radecka: In fact we are working with electrochemical sensors. We have chosen them because of several reasons. This technology requires very little sample volumes – we are operating in microliter volumes. Therefore, the amount of material needed for the analysis and in the same time the invasiveness of the whole method is really small. In addition, the costs of such “sensors” are not high. The target solution would be a device similar to that currently used for determination of blood glucose level, so portable potentiostat with disposable electrodes. To perform a test, a drop of blood or some of its fraction would be enough to obtain results. During our studies we observed that the “sensors” provide reliable results even in the presence of plasma. This is what we have achieved recently.

In the literature, a protein Tau is also usually mentioned considering AD. Can this protein be also useful for an early diagnosis of the disease?

Professor Hanna Radecka: Yes, of course. We are planning to elaborate a “sensor” for this marker. In our laboratory we have developed really good procedure of construction of “immunosensors” and “genosensors”. Concerning protein Tau, we would like to propose “immunosensor” for its detection. Here, as I mentioned earlier, the relation between the monomeric and oligomeric form is also critical. The aggregates of the protein are said to be most toxic for cells. Some of the oligomeric forms can be reversed to the monomeric form. Basing on this, we are searching for compounds that can prevent the process of oligomerization by using the  electrochemical “sensors”. In such a way we can monitor the process of aggregation in the presence of the particular groups of compounds. For example, in our laboratory we have examined various alkaloids that are found in spices. According to the obtained results, it is possible to provide preventive diet that would decrease the risk of AD onset.

Recently, there are a lot of reports talking about vaccines against AD. Do you think that such approach can be successful in the prophylaxis of this disease?

Professor Hanna Radecka: Yes, in my opinion these findings are very promising. Thanks to them, now we know that our organism is capable of defending against AD. Basing on this, the approach with application of vaccines was proposed in order to strengthen the reaction of the human organism. Such vaccines are already used in USA. The crucial thing is to apply them in a proper time, which is in an intermediate state of AD development. In this context, an early diagnosis would enable choosing the appropriate time of vaccination. We are inspired by all these finding to construct “sensors” detecting antibodies against monomeric and oligomeric forms of  β-amyloid. I really hope that it would be an efficient tool for the proper diagnosis. These are early beginnings of the studies on such “immunosensors”, however, we already have experience in that area and I think that we can provide the “sensors” in the nearest future.

If the test for early detection of AD works, patients will receive results saying that the disease is starting to develop. What are the possible ways of preventing or treating the AD progression?

Professor Hanna Radecka: It is still difficult question. I think that this enormous effort made by researchers all over the world will eventually provide some successful ways of AD treatment and we are trying to stay up-to-date with all the newest developments simultaneously presenting diagnosis methods. In my opinion studies on treatment and early diagnosis will meet together in some point and will complement each other. For now, the available ways of prophylaxis and treatment are quiet narrow encompassing mainly changes in lifestyle. For instance, as I mentioned earlier we can enrich our diet in components that can potentially hamper the process of AD development. It is also recommended to “train your brain”. One of the most popular exercises to keep your brain active is to learn foreign language in order to maintain a good condition of neuronal network. However, I am aware that such recommendations are not satisfying and effective enough. Nevertheless, I am sure that the great research potential will eventually result in earlier diagnosis and better therapies for AD.

by Maciej Smolarz