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 hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




New Visual Diagnostic Technique to Advance Early Detection of Neurodegenerative Diseases

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 07 Aug 2024
Print article
Image: Researcher Peter Christenson holds glass capillary tubes like those used in the study focusing on improving detection of neurodegenerative diseases (Photo courtesy of Thomas and Tonya Seiler, MNPRO)
Image: Researcher Peter Christenson holds glass capillary tubes like those used in the study focusing on improving detection of neurodegenerative diseases (Photo courtesy of Thomas and Tonya Seiler, MNPRO)

Parkinson's disease is identified by the buildup of misfolded alpha-synuclein proteins, which are crucial to the function of neural cells in the brain. This condition impacts millions globally, creating substantial hurdles in both early detection and treatment. Typically, Parkinson’s is diagnosed in later stages through clinical observation of physical symptoms, which often delays the application of potential treatments. Early diagnosis currently depends on sophisticated, costly equipment that is not widely accessible, particularly in less developed regions. Researchers have now introduced a novel visual diagnostic approach aimed at improving early detection capabilities for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's.

Named Cap-QuIC (Capillary-enhanced Quaking-Induced Conversion), the techniques developed by researchers at the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN, USA), allows clinicians to visually identify infected samples, enhancing both the affordability and accessibility of testing. Building on their earlier diagnostic advancements, Cap-QuIC employs a simple technique to visually detect misfolded alpha-synuclein proteins. In their research published in npj Biosensing, a peer-reviewed scientific journal from Nature, the team utilized glass capillaries—tiny tubes designed for biological samples—to differentiate between normal and abnormal proteins by observing how liquids behave within these tubes. The effectiveness of Cap-QuIC was validated through testing on tissue samples from white-tailed deer affected by Chronic Wasting Disease, where it demonstrated high levels of sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing diseased samples.

"Our Cap-QuIC procedure represents a major advancement in point-of-care neurodegenerative disease diagnostics," said Professor Sang-Hyun Oh, a McKnight Professor and Bordeau Chair in the College of Science and Engineering’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and senior co-author of the paper. "By simplifying the detection process, we can potentially diagnose Parkinson's disease earlier, which is crucial for effective management and treatment."

Related Links:
University of Minnesota

New
Gold Member
RPR and TPLA Assays
SEKURE RPR and TPLA Assays
Antipsychotic TDM Assays
Saladax Antipsychotic Assays
New
Refrigerated High Speed Microcentrifuge
MC-24R
New
Human Papillomavirus Test
RealLine HPV HCR Screen Kit

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The new saliva-based test for heart failure measures two biomarkers in about 15 minutes (Photo courtesy of Trey Pittman)

POC Saliva Testing Device Predicts Heart Failure in 15 Minutes

Heart failure is a serious condition where the heart muscle is unable to pump sufficient oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. It ranks as a major cause of death globally and is particularly fatal for... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The discovery of a new blood group has solved a 50- year-old mystery (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Newly Discovered Blood Group System to Help Identify and Treat Rare Patients

The AnWj blood group antigen, a surface marker discovered in 1972, has remained a mystery regarding its genetic origin—until now. The most common cause of being AnWj-negative is linked to hematological... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The blood test measures lymphocytes  to guide the use of multiple myeloma immunotherapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Simple Blood Test Identifies Multiple Myeloma Patients Likely to Benefit from CAR-T Immunotherapy

Multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer originating from plasma cells in the bone marrow, sees almost all patients experiencing a relapse at some stage. This means that the cancer returns even after initially... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The Accelerate WAVE system delivers rapid AST directly from positive blood culture bottles (Photo courtesy of Accelerate Diagnostics)

Rapid Diagnostic System to Deliver Same-Shift Antibiotic Susceptibility Test Results

The World Health Organization estimates that sepsis impacts around 49 million people worldwide each year, resulting in roughly 11 million deaths, with about 1.32 million of these deaths directly linked... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: The Scopio X100 and X100HT full-field digital cell morphology solution (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter)

Beckman Coulter and Scopio Labs Add World's First Digital Bone Marrow Imaging and Analysis to Long-Term Partnership

Since 2022, Beckman Coulter (Brea, CA, USA) and Scopio Labs (Tel Aviv, Israel) have been working together to accelerate adoption of the next generation of digital cell morphology. Scopio's X100 and X100HT... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.