A new biomarker test developed at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine can detect small amounts of a protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease, allowing for early-stage diagnosis and potential intervention. The test, which analyzes cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), correlates with cognitive decline severity and could enable clinicians to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from new treatments.
Researchers say their test identifies tau protein clumps in the brain up to a decade before they can be seen on a brain scan. Early detection is crucial for successful therapies, as studies have shown that patients with minimal tau deposits respond better to new treatments than those with advanced tau pathology.
The biomarker test targets the intermediate soluble tau assemblies (STAs), which are thought to be preventable through targeted therapy. The researchers identified specific phosphorylation sites on the tau protein that can accurately detect early-stage tau aggregation and potentially reverse it.
The development of this CSF biomarker addresses a critical need in drug development, as it provides an accessible tool for identifying individuals with pre-NFT pathology who may benefit from new therapies. Early detection of tangle-prone tau could identify patients who are at risk of developing Alzheimer’s-associated cognitive decline and enable them to receive targeted interventions.
According to the researchers, this breakthrough has the potential to pave the way for the development of therapies against soluble pathological entities that were previously undetectable using existing methods.
Source: https://www.genengnews.com/topics/translational-medicine/alzheimers-biomarker-test-may-detect-disease-years-before-tau-tangles-appear