Can a Simple Skin Test Detect Alzheimer’s
Scientists have developed a “smart patch” device they claim can detect neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s within minutes.
The smart patch uses tiny needles – also known as microneedle technology – to break a patient’s skin barrier just enough to monitor signs of neurodegenerative diseases – known as biomarkers – before symptoms of the disease emerge, according to findings published in ACS Publications.
Sanjiv Sharma, PhD, co-author of the study from Swansea University in Swansea, Wales, told Seasons because no cure exists for these types of diseases, tools like the smart patch can help patients receive an early diagnosis and benefit more from potential treatments.
…tools like the smart patch can help patients receive an early diagnosis and benefit more from potential treatments.
“Alzheimer’s disease numbers are increasing at quite an alarming rate. The only confirmed diagnosis you have for Alzheimer’s is when the person is dead and they do an autopsy and find protein plaques in the brain,” Sharma said. “There is clearly a big need for early diagnosis for early onset of the disease.”
How the smart patch device can detect Alzheimer’s
The smart patch is made up of tiny microneedle structures about one millimeter tall. The patches can be self-administered, similar to sticking a bandage on your skin.
To get the most effective results, Sharma said the patches should be placed on major areas of the body, including the arm and stomach. The devices use smart technology that can detect certain biomarkers such as molecules associated with a certain disease. This is possible because these molecules contain molecular-imprinted polymers, which are structures or cavities that share the same shape as certain biomarkers or molecules, Sharma said.
The smart patch doesn’t collect or extract anything from the skin. Instead, biomarker molecules attach themselves to the molecular-imprinted polymers or cavities on the patch, which can then be monitored electrochemically or optically. The patch constantly monitors the skin and can send any data to a connected computer, providing results to medical providers and patients.
In the case of this study, the researchers used the smart patches and microneedle technology to detect small proteins used to control the growth and activity of other immune system cells. However, when the production of these proteins is impaired, it can lead to the development of various diseases—and possibly the presence of neurodegenerative disease.
Other experts not involved in the study say while the possibility of having a tool like this that would also be readily available in every doctor’s office can be beneficial, it shouldn’t be the only thing used when making a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
“Temporarily inserting something into the skin that can pick up a specific level of identified molecules as the disease would be very useful for everybody,” Charles Duffy, MD, PhD, professor of neurology at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, told Seasons. “The problem with that is because Alzheimer’s is a clinical diagnosis, any kind of blood test, spinal fluid test or other kinds of chemically based tests can’t be the entire basis for the diagnosis.”
How the smart patch detection methods are different
The biggest advantage of the smart patch device is that it can continuously monitor biomarkers and molecules of certain diseases in a minimally invasive way compared to other Alzheimer’s detection methods, like blood or saliva-based tests, said Felismina Moreira, PhD, co-author of the study from the School of Engineering at Polytechnic Institute in Portugal.
“It’s spineless, painless and we don’t need to deal with blood samples. Interstitial fluid is very simple, and we could also get a quick response time,” she said. “In my point of view, the simplicity and minimally invasive aspects are the main advantages.”
…the simplicity and minimally invasive aspects are the main advantages.
Sharma added that smart patches can also be administered in simpler settings, such as someone’s home, and the entire process can take as little as 15 minutes. Other detection methods require patients to be in a doctor’s office with a trained professional who would conduct the screening or test. And other at-home methods may require patients to ship their sample collection, which can take days before people receive results.
However, Duffy noted it’s not entirely clear how sensitive this technology may be in detecting Alzheimer’s and other molecular changes associated with the disease.
“It’s not like you either have this molecule or you don’t have this molecule,” he said. “It’s the specific configuration of the molecule that makes a difference in Alzheimer’s.”
What comes next?
According to Sharma, the researchers are currently working with other research partners in the U.K., Portugal, France and Spain to conduct additional studies using the smart patch technology, along with testing the device on other health care applications.
While the devices are currently not available to the public, they hope one day they can be used to help detect Alzheimer’s and other related dementias early to help minimize people’s risk.
“I think the main message is that we need to do a lot of these kinds of studies,” Sharma said. “As scientists, we have to be optimistic; otherwise, it’s hard to do any research and development.”
While a smart patch is an interesting and new approach with great potential, Duffy said patients should remember it’s not yet proven for the applications clinicians are most concerned with.
“This is an exciting new technology, but its applicability to complex diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is not proven yet,” he said. “We shouldn’t jump to the conclusion that because it does ‘this’ in their laboratory setup, that it’s necessarily going to be directly translatable into other clinical applications.”
Alyssa Hui
Alyssa Hui is a freelance journalist and a former TV reporter and radio host. With more than four years of experience, she covers topics ranging from health, wellness, education and community. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison but was born and raised in the heart of Chicago's Chinatown. Besides being a writer, creator and strong communicator, Alyssa enjoys spending her free time lifting weights, baking and journaling. Read more about her at huialyssa.wordpress.com.