Early biomarker could detect Alzheimer's
15 Aug 2013
In results published this week, researchers believe a potential biomarker is present in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) that could be used to detect Alzheimer’s disease ten years before dementia manifests.
Currently, the only method used to diagnose the disease is through post-mortem neuropathological analysis. The relationship of currently known biomarkers with the cause of the disease is unclear, making it difficult to diagnose preclinical stages of the disease.
Research professor at the CSIC Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona Dr Ramon Trullas believes: “This discovery may enable us to search for more effective treatments that can be administered during the preclinical stage.”
“Clinicians could use the findings to diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms appear
The CSIC researchers demonstrated that a decrease in the content of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in CSF may be a preclinical indicator for the disease.
Dr. Trullas’ team were able to detect and quantitate mtDNA using qPCR, which were carefully optimised by adhering to the MIQE guidelines.
“Droplet Digital PCR allowed us to validate our initial qPCR measurements because it provides absolute quantitation at the single-molecule level without relying on a standard curve,” said Trullas.
To validate their qPCR findings, Dr Trullas’ team used Bio-Rad Laboratories’ QX100 Droplet Digital PCR system.
If these results can be replicated in other laboratories, Dr Trullas believes clinicians could use the findings to diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms appear.
