New in Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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In one of the research centers of the Monella Institute, a team of specialists came to the conclusion that Alzheimer's disease can be diagnosed by the smell of urine. Experiments on laboratory rodents showed that with the development of this disease urine in mice acquired a special smell. Experts are sure that simultaneously with changes in the brain there are other changes in the body, in particular, the smell of urine changes.
Leading project specialist Bruce Kimbal said that this discovery can help in studies of other brain diseases. The discovery made by scientists will help to diagnose the disease at an early stage, even before the onset of irreversible processes - the drying out of the brain and the development of dementia. Early detection of Alzheimer's will significantly slow down the development of the disease, thereby improving the quality of life of patients.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of senile dementia, which affects more than 5 million people in the US alone. The disease develops in people older than 65 years, but despite all the achievements of medicine, today the rapid progression of the disease can not be stopped. The only option is to learn how to identify the disease at an early stage and slow down the manifestation of severe symptoms, thereby giving time to relatives and the patient to prepare and schedule treatment.
The results of the study were published in one of the online journals. Scientists studied rodents in their works. In Alzheimer's disease, there is an excess of amyloid plaques on neurons of the brain, which is a characteristic feature of the disease.
Rodent infestation occurred through the introduction and activation of human genes, resulting in a process of increased release of β-amyloid protein in the rodents and, as a result, the formation of plaques on the neurons of the brain.
Now scientists are also working to identify a special smell of urine, which is formed when the disease develops in humans. Now a group of specialists is a grant to conduct research in this field, which was provided by a number of institutes and foundations.
In another study, experts found that Parkinson's secretion of a secret secretion of the sebaceous glands results in a unique odor (by the way, only people with acute sense of smell can feel the "fragrance" of Parkinson's).
Today, more than 7 million patients with this pathology have been recorded. The author of the study noted that in the course of the work, molecules from the skin of patients with Parkinson's diagnosis will be analyzed. The purpose of the study will be to identify biomarkers that will help in the development of diagnostic activities.
It is also planned to use human resources in the work, i.e. Scientists selected people with a unique scent. In the plans of scientists to determine, with what changes in the skin is the appearance of odor in Parkinson's disease.
The scientists noted that for them the search for new biomarkers is a unique opportunity and they suggested that their work will help develop new diagnostic methods to identify the initial stages of Parkinson's before the first symptoms begin to manifest.
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