Alzheimer's already recognize the nose

Alzheimer's diagnosis based on protein deposits on the nasal mucosa

11/16/2011

Alzheimer's disease can already be detected in the early stages of neurodegenerative disease by means of protein deposits in the nose. Chemists of the TU Darmstadt and pathologists of the Darmstadt Hospital have developed a promising diagnostic method that can detect the so-called tau proteins, which play an essential role in the development of Alzheimer's, early in the nasal mucosa.

In a recent press release, the TU Darmstadt points out that with the newly developed diagnostic procedure, the corresponding protein deposits „travels before the onset of dementia in the nasal mucosa“ can be detected. For the Alzheimer's patients, such an early diagnosis would bring significant benefits, since the dementia with the current therapeutic means, although not curable but significantly delayed. In the interest of those affected, the early diagnosis would allow a few more years for patients to lead a largely normal life.

Dyes make protein deposits visible on the nasal mucosa
For years, researchers worldwide have been searching for methods that allow the earliest possible diagnosis of Alzheimer's risk. Because as soon as „first symptoms appear in the short-term memory, there are already significant damage to the brain“, explained the scientists of the Technical University of Darmstadt. In the recent past, research has concentrated primarily on the protein deposits in the brain, which, according to the experts, are responsible for the dying of brain cells. „So far, it was only known that the harmful deposits show up not only in brain cells, but also in the nerve cells of the eyes“, explained Professor Boris Schmidt from the Clemens-Schöpf-Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the TU Darmstadt. As a result, the research focus was on the „Diagnosis by retinal scan“, with the help „fluorescent dyes, the deposits in the eye visible to the examining physician“ Prof. Schmidt continues. As part of their investigations with the fluorescent dyes, researchers from the Technical University and the Darmstadt Hospital discovered that the dyes also make visible protein deposits on the nasal mucosa. „We have found the typical deposits on the so-called bowman glands in the nose, which produce, among other things, the nasal secretions“, Prof. Schmidt explained the approach to the development of the newly introduced diagnostic procedure.

The stage of Alzheimer's disease can be recognized by the nasal mucosa
Since the protein deposits on the nasal mucosa correlate very closely with the deposits in the brain that trigger Alzheimer's, the new diagnostic procedure also provides relatively accurate information about the disease stage of the patients, Prof. Schmidt emphasized the advantages of the examination method. The Darmstadt researchers have already tested their method for the detection of protein deposits in 100 deceased Alzheimer's patients, „to determine the earliest possible diagnosis time“, so the statement in the current press release. Prof. Schmidt and colleagues found that brain structures were all the more affected, „the more dew deposits in the noses of the patients“ were to be found. A comparable one „Context could not be ascertained for the deposits in the eye so far“, explained Prof. Schmidt. In addition, in the nasal mucosa examination, the effort and the impairment of the patients are far lower than with the retinal scan. Those affected could take the color substance in tablet form or by nasal spray and then a light endoscope is sufficient for the subsequent investigation, according to the Darmstadt researchers.

More and more people are affected by Alzheimer's
The importance of advances in the field of Alzheimer's research, according to Prof. Schmidt and colleagues, has been shown in the development of neurodegenerative disease in recent decades. More and more people are affected with no hope of recovery, and patients with Alzheimer's disease are increasingly suffering from symptoms such as temporal and spatial disorientation, memory loss, confusion and the loss of previous knowledge or skills, often resulting in a complete change in personality brings with it. Alzheimer's patients are usually permanently dependent on care. Alzheimer's, according to the Darmstadt researchers „the most common form of irreversible dementia“, In Germany today, an estimated 1.2 million people are suffering from Alzheimer's disease and in 2030 an increase in those affected is expected to reach 2.3 million. Worldwide, the World Health Organization estimates 42 million people with Alzheimer's disease. Since the neurodegenerative disease is not curable until today, „The hope lies in therapies that delay or delay the progression of the disease“, so the statement of the TU Darmstadt in the current press release. „Indispensable for their effective use, however, is the earliest possible diagnosis of the disease“, Prof. Schmidt emphasized the advantages of the new diagnostic procedure. (Fp)

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Picture: Slydgo