Method for Selective Quantification of A-Beta Aggregates

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention describes an ultrasensitive and selective method for detecting and quantifying aggregates of amyloid-beta (A-beta) peptides, which are biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. The method involves immobilizing capture molecules (such as anti-A-beta antibodies) on a specially prepared substrate, exposing the substrate to biological samples (e.g., cerebrospinal fluid), labeling any A-beta aggregates present with fluorescent probes, and detecting these aggregates with high-resolution fluorescence microscopy. The process allows not only the counting but also the characterization of different forms of A-beta aggregates, excluding monomers, using spatially resolved detection techniques. The invention also provides standards and kits for the quantification and supporting diagnostic processes.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Early and more accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease by detecting A-beta aggregates in biological fluids such as spinal fluid, blood, or urine.
• Monitoring disease progression in Alzheimer's patients by quantifying changes in A-beta aggregate levels over time.
• Assessment of the effectiveness of Alzheimer's treatments or drug candidates by observing their impact on A-beta aggregate formation.
• Eligibility screening of individuals for participation in clinical trials related to Alzheimer's disease based on biomarker thresholds.
• Research tool for characterizing protein aggregation diseases, including studies on neurodegenerative disorders beyond Alzheimer's (e.g., Parkinson's, prion diseases).
• Standardization and calibration of diagnostic assays for protein aggregation biomarkers using proprietary standards.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Highly sensitive and specific detection of A-beta aggregates, allowing for differentiation between monomers, oligomers, and larger aggregates.
• Enables earlier and more reliable diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, potentially before significant clinical symptoms appear.
• Uses non- or minimally invasive samples (e.g., CSF, blood, urine), making patient testing easier and more widely implementable.
• Supports objective monitoring of therapy and disease progression, aiding personalized medicine approaches.
• Provides robust internal/external standards for assay calibration, increasing the reliability and reproducibility of test results across laboratories.
• The method's flexibility enables detailed characterization of aggregate forms, sizes, and compositions, advancing research into neurodegenerative diseases.
• Reduces false positives and negatives due to high specificity and spatially resolved detection, improving clinical utility.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to methods for selectively quantifying a-beta aggregates, comprising the immobilization of anti a-beta antibodies on a substrate, the application of the sample to be examined on the substrate, the addition of probes marked for detection, which mark said probes by specific binding to a-beta aggregates, and the detection of the marked aggregates.