Scientists from Swansea University, Imperial College London, and The University of Glasgow have collaborated with researchers from Tokyo University of Agriculture & Technology and the National Institutes for Quantum Science & Technology in Japan. They have been awarded £1.3 million to develop a new point-of-care testing kit that can detect biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease. This groundbreaking project builds upon Dr. Sanjiv Sharma’s previous work, including the development of the world’s first COVID-19 ‘smart patch.’
The smart patch, composed of an array of tiny microneedles, is designed to break the skin barrier in a minimally invasive way, similar to a nicotine patch. This innovative design allows for the identification and monitoring of specific biomarkers in the skin. The new project will leverage this technology to create a Point-of-Care Testing Kit for early diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression in primary clinics or home settings.
Alzheimer’s Disease is the most prevalent form of dementia, currently untreatable and associated with a high social and familial burden. Non-invasive markers of AD pathology in blood and skin samples are essential for screening the elderly population with memory complaints. This could represent the first step in determining individuals at the highest risk of AD dementia. Dr. Kaori Tsukakoshi, of Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, explained that the research collaboration would facilitate a new diagnostic process for AD, allowing more patients to benefit from upcoming disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s.
The multidisciplinary research project is co-funded by the Medical Research Council – UK Research and Innovation, and the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED). The global collaboration aims to bring an effective and accessible testing option to those affected by Alzheimer’s, transforming the way the disease is diagnosed and monitored.
