We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
THE LEE COMPANY

Download Mobile App




Urine Test Detects Parkinson’s by Identifying Protein from Brain Cells

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 18 May 2023
Print article
Image: The EVtrap technology uses magnetic beads to rapidly isolate and identify large quantities of proteins from extracellular vesicles (Photo courtesy of Purdue University)
Image: The EVtrap technology uses magnetic beads to rapidly isolate and identify large quantities of proteins from extracellular vesicles (Photo courtesy of Purdue University)

It's estimated that 1% of individuals aged over 60 are affected by Parkinson's disease. Unfortunately, diagnosing this kind of neurodegenerative disease is challenging, with cognitive and movement tests sometimes taking over a year to confirm the diagnosis. Early diagnostic molecular tests could speed up interventions and help Parkinson's patients receive treatment faster. Now, researchers have devised a new technique that can reveal signs of Parkinson’s disease in urine samples.

Researchers at Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN, USA) developed a method that potentially enables the detection of alterations in LRRK2 (leucine-rich repeat kinase 2) proteins and their downstream pathways in urine samples of Parkinson's patients. LRRK2 proteins are known to be associated with Parkinson's disease. This innovative approach might also pave the way for noninvasive testing for other neurodegenerative disorders and cancers. Among several methods to study the effect of LRRK2, tracking its biological pathway is feasible through analysis of urine, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), minute packages utilized by cells for molecular delivery, are present in phosphorylated proteins that are common indicators of cancers. Previous studies suggested that blood samples with phosphoproteins could be potential markers for early cancer detection or disease progression monitoring. EVs offer a way to target disease markers, as they are released by specific types of cells. However, sampling such biomarkers from the brain via spinal tap is a highly intrusive process.

The potential of urine as a source of brain-related chemical markers was previously unknown. Although urine samples contain proteins that might serve as disease markers, many are involved in general cell maintenance and unrelated to diseases. Interestingly, these EVs can readily cross the blood-brain barrier. Upon being discharged from the brain into the bloodstream, they become concentrated or filtered into the urine. In this research, the team successfully isolated these EVs quickly from urine samples, using the EVtrap (Extracellular Vesicles total recovery and purification) method. The EVtrap method offers a simple way to monitor changes in urine, which is routinely collected in various clinical studies.

“It’s going to be a big new area in diagnostic development, especially for neurodegenerative diseases and cancer,” predicted co-author Anton Iliuk. “This kind of analysis opens a new frontier in noninvasive diagnostics development. It’s showing that biomarkers previously thought to be undetectable have become uncovered and do a really good job of differentiating disease from non-disease state.”

Related Links:
Purdue University 

Platinum Supplier
Xylazine Immunoassay Test
Xylazine ELISA
New
Gold Supplier
Influenza Virus Test
NovaLisa Influenza Virus B IgM ELISA
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
New
Auto Clinical Chemistry Analyzer
ChemiLab 300

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: A module with eight micro-devices, complete with microfluidic channels and drive motors (Photo courtesy of U.S Department of Energy)

Highly Sensitive pH Sensor to Aid Detection of Cancers and Vector-Borne Viruses

Understanding the acidity or alkalinity of substances through pH measurement is crucial in many fields, from environmental monitoring to healthcare product safety. In many cases, these measurements must... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The QScout hematology analyzer has received US FDA 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of Ad Astra Diagnostics)

First Rapid-Result Hematology Analyzer Reports Measures of Infection and Severity at POC

Sepsis, a critical medical condition that arises as an extreme response to infection, poses a significant health threat. It occurs when an infection triggers a widespread inflammatory response in the body.... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: PointCheck is the world’s first device for non-invasive white cell monitoring (Photo courtesy of Leuko Labs)

World’s First Portable, Non-Invasive WBC Monitoring Device to Eliminate Need for Blood Draw

One of the toughest challenges for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy is experiencing a low count of white blood cells, also known as neutropenia. These cells play a crucial role in warding off infections.... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: Current testing methods for antibiotic susceptibility rely on growing bacterial colonies in the presence of antibiotics (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test Returns Results within 30 Minutes

In 2019, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was responsible for the deaths of approximately 1.3 million individuals. The conventional approach for testing antimicrobial susceptibility involves cultivating... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: AI methods used in satellite imaging can help researchers analyze tumor images (Photo courtesy of Karolinska Institutet)

AI Approach Combines Satellite Imaging and Ecology Techniques for Analysis of Tumor Tissue

Advancements in tumor imaging technology have significantly enhanced our ability to observe the minute details of tumors, but this also brings the challenge of interpreting vast amounts of data generated... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Made-to-order diagnostic tests may soon be on the horizon (Photo courtesy of McGill University)

Breakthrough in Diagnostic Technology Could Make On-The-Spot Testing Widely Accessible

Home testing gained significant importance during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet the availability of rapid tests is limited, and most of them can only drive one liquid across the strip, leading to continued... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: The acquisition significantly expands Medix Biochemica’s portfolio of IVD raw materials (Photo courtesy of ViroStat)

Medix Biochemica Acquires US-Based ViroStat to Expand Infectious Diseases Antibody Offering

Medix Biochemica (Espoo, Finland), a supplier of critical raw materials to the in vitro diagnostics (IVD) industry, has acquired ViroStat LLC (Portland, ME, USA), a provider of infectious disease antibodies... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2023 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.