Early dementia detection gets a bright new tool

An international cohort of researchers has, for the first time, measured proteins linked to dementia. The new method, called FibrilPaint, can directly measure the growth of protein fibrils associated with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other neurodegenerative diseases. This technique could pave the way for earlier diagnosis and better treatment options.

A team of chemists at Utrecht University, including Françoise Dekker, Júlia Aragonès Pedrola, and Stefan Rüdiger, also contributed to the study, which was published in PNAS. Their method enables direct detection of growing protein clumps, known as amyloid fibrils, implicated in dementias such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases.

Early dementia detection

FibrilPaint employs a fluorescent marker to reveal the size of amyloid fibrils, ranging from the earliest, smallest clumps to fully developed structures. What sets FibrilPaint apart is its ability to function effectively in blood or cerebrospinal fluid samples.

Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia, is characterized by the formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. These plaques and tangles disrupt brain cell function, eventually leading to cell death. The ability to detect and measure amyloid fibril growth using FibrilPaint provides a crucial tool for understanding the progression of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

“We could already see such fibrils under an electron microscope, but this method is not suitable to monitor body fluids,” says Stefan Rüdiger, Professor of Protein Chemistry of Disease at Utrecht University. “With FibrilPaint, we can now follow their growth step by step in liquid form.”

Commercializing the innovation

Early detection of Alzheimer's is challenging because the initial harmful processes in the brain occur silently for years before any noticeable symptoms appear. Current techniques often fall short in identifying these early changes. FibrilPaint's ability to track the growth of protein fibrils from the earliest stages holds significant promise for earlier diagnosis, which could lead to more effective treatment development and better disease management.

According to the scientists, FibrilPaint will enhance the development of dementia drugs by enabling more precise monitoring of disease progression and treatment effectiveness. To make their research impactful, the Utrecht researchers have founded NeuroTidal Diagnostics. The startup aims to bring FibrilPaint into clinical use and support clinical trials for dementia medications. The development of FibrilPaint is a collaborative effort between Utrecht researchers and international partners, with support from Alzheimer Nederland, Campagneteam Huntington, and the Dutch Gravitation Programme FLOW.