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Analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid can detect whether a person has Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms appear. Researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, have studied biomarkers that offer more reliable diagnosis and, in the longer term, the possibility of effective new treatments.
In Alzheimer’s disease, a protein fragment called beta-amyloid forms clumps between the nerve cells of the brain, causing the disease’s characteristic effects on memory and function. The nerve fibres also become tangled, causing certain proteins to be released into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Leading Alzheimer´s expert
Led by Kaj Blennow, one of the world’s leading Alzheimer’s experts, researchers at the University of Gothenburg’s Sahlgrenska Academy have developed a way of measuring these proteins and protein fragments in the CSF so that they can be used as biomarkers – substances that reflect biological processes in the body and allow more reliable diagnoses in people with cognitive disorders.
Detect at early stage
“We found that levels of these proteins change in the CSF even with early symptoms, and we will probably be able to detect changes in the brain at a very early stage of the disease,” says doctoral student Niklas Mattsson, whose thesis builds on the results.
International programme
To promote wider use of these new biomarkers, the researchers in Gothenburg have established an international quality control programme for these measurements. Besides facilitating diagnosis, the biomarkers could also be used when new drugs for Alzheimer’s are tested.
“We hope that a better knowledge about biomarkers will help improve the future care of neurological and psychiatric patients,” says Mattsson.
The thesis “CSF biomarkers reflecting beta-amyloid and axonal pathology in Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions” was defended on 9 December.
Bibliographic data:
Authors: Mattsson N, Andreasson U, Persson S, Arai H, Batish SD, Bernardini S, Bocchio-Chiavetto L, Blankenstein MA, Carrillo MC, Chalbot S, Coart E, Chiasserini D, Cutler N, Dahlfors G, Duller S, Fagan AM, Forlenza O, Frisoni GB, Galasko D, Galimberti D, Hampel H, Handberg A, Heneka MT, Herskovits AZ, Herukka SK, Holtzman DM, Humpel C, Hyman BT, Iqbal K, Jucker M, Kaeser SA, Kaiser E, Kapaki E, Kidd D, Klivenyi P, Knudsen CS, Kummer MP, Lui J, Lladó A, Lewczuk P, Li QX, Martins R, Masters C, McAuliffe J, Mercken M, Moghekar A, Molinuevo JL, Montine TJ, Nowatzke W, O'Brien R, Otto M, Paraskevas GP, Parnetti L, Petersen RC, Prvulovic D, de Reus HP, Rissman RA, Scarpini E, Stefani A, Soininen H, Schröder J, Shaw LM, Skinningsrud A, Skrogstad B, Spreer A, Talib L, Teunissen C, Trojanowski JQ, Tumani H, Umek RM, Van Broeck B, Vanderstichele H, Vecsei L, Verbeek MM, Windisch M, Zhang J, Zetterberg H, Blennow K.
Title: The Alzheimer's Association external quality control program for CSF biomarkers.
Journal: Alzheimer's & Dementia. 2011; 7(4): 386-395.
For more information, please contact: Niklas Mattsson, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg
E-mail: niklas.mattsson@neuro.gu.se
Telephone: +46 (0)31 343 0026
http://gupea.ub.gu.se/handle/2077/27811
Niklas Mattson
Source: Photo: University of Gothenburg
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Niklas Mattson
Source: Photo: University of Gothenburg
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