Amorfix achieves target sensitivity with its Alzheimer's disease diagnostic test
"Our AD diagnostic assay is now the most sensitive test available for Abeta protein based on our survey of existing tests. We have achieved the sensitivity required to test human Alzheimer's blood and CSF for aggregated Abeta, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease," said Dr. Neil Cashman, Chief Scientific Officer of Amorfix. "In addition, we believe we can further improve the assay sensitivity by incorporating technology similar to that developed for our EPvCJD(TM) Blood Screening Assay."
The company obtained ethical approval to collect and use blood from Alzheimer's patients for assay validation, and has already obtained the necessary blood and CSF samples from Alzheimer's patients and normal controls to begin testing.
Alzheimer's disease is associated with an accumulation of protein aggregates, called amyloid, in the brain. Research has shown that amyloid results from aggregation of misfolded Abeta protein. The Amorfix AD diagnostic test has been developed to detect aggregated Abeta, the characteristic feature of Alzheimer's disease, in a blood sample or CSF whereas existing assays only detect Abeta. The company believes that detection of aggregated Abeta in blood or CSF would represent a significant advancement in the search for a reliable indicator to show evidence of Alzheimer's disease.
The company believes that CSF will have a higher concentration of Abeta aggregates because they originate from the brain and are not diluted in the plasma. There are currently no reliable methods for diagnosing this disease prior to death. Amorfix hypothesizes that aggregated Abeta passes from the brain to the CSF and makes its way into the blood system through a known physiological pathway. As there is no test for aggregated Abeta, the presence of or amount of aggregated Abeta in blood or CSF of Alzheimer's patients is not known.
Organizations
Other news from the department research and development
Get the analytics and lab tech industry in your inbox
From now on, don't miss a thing: Our newsletter for analytics and lab technology brings you up to date every Tuesday. The latest industry news, product highlights and innovations - compact and easy to understand in your inbox. Researched by us so you don't have to.