Single particle detection of Abeta aggregates associated with Alzheimer's disease

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2007 Dec 28;364(4):902-7. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.10.085. Epub 2007 Oct 24.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia. Today, AD can be diagnosed with certainty only post-mortem, by histopathologic staining of Abeta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in brain tissue sections. We have developed an ultra-sensitive assay potentially suitable for early and non-invasive diagnosis of AD. This highly specific and sensitive assay uses fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and is sensitive enough to detect even single aggregates in body fluids of AD patients. First results show a clear distinction between AD diseased people and non-demented controls by analysing cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) by confocal scanning of surface captured Abeta aggregates and subsequent two-dimensional fluorescence intensity distribution analysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnosis*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / analysis*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / ultrastructure*
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / cytology*
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement / methods
  • Microscopy, Confocal / methods
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods*
  • Particle Size

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides