Alzheimer’s Risk Array from Randox Biosciences

September 2020 marks the 9^th World Alzheimer’s Month

World Alzheimer’s Month is the international campaign every September to raise awareness and challenge the stigma that surrounds dementia. Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease associated with cognitive decline and is the most common form of dementia. It is defined as an irreversible, progressive brain disorder in which parts of the brain are damaged over time.

According to Alzheimer’s Disease International dementia affects people differently – no two people will experience symptoms in exactly the same way. A person’s personality, general health and social situation are all important factors in determining the impact of dementia on an individual. The most common signs are memory loss, the loss of practical abilities, problems with language, changes in mood and behaviour, and withdrawal from work or social activities.¹

Who is affected?

• There are currently around 850,000 people with dementia in the UK. This is projected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040.²
• 209,600 will develop dementia this year, that’s one every three minutes.²
• 1 in 6 people over the age of 80 have dementia.²
• 70% of people in care homes have dementia or severe memory problems.²
• There are over 42,000 people under 65 with dementia in the UK.²

The Randox Alzheimer’s Risk Array is a rapid and highly sensitive blood test facilitating direct Apo E genotyping without the need for molecular testing.  Apo E is present in three common isoforms; Apo E2, Apo E3 and Apo E4. Alzheimer’s Disease risk is increased in individuals with the Apo E4 allele.

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a major cholesterol carrier that supports lipid transport and injury repair in the brain. ApoE polymorphic alleles are the main genetic determinants of Alzheimer Disease risk. Presence of ApoE4 allele is associated with increased risk for cerebral amyloid angiopathy and age-related cognitive decline during normal ageing.³

Apo E4 is one of three common isoforms of Apo E and is recognised as a major genetic risk factor the development of Alzheimer’s disease.   Apo E4 triggers inflammatory cascades that cause neurovascular dysfunction, including blood-brain barrier breakdown, leakage of blood-derived toxic proteins into the brain and reduction in the length of small vessels.

Utilising revolutionary patented Biochip Technology, the Randox Alzheimer’s Risk Array provides a unique solution for the measurement of both total apoE and the apo E4 isoform levels from a single patient sample, facilitating the fast and accurate classification of Alzheimer’s disease risk in comparison to brain scanning (CT and MRI).

Key Benefits of Alzheimer’s Risk Array

• 2-plex testing from a single sample
• Assist in research and development of potential treatment
• Early risk detection of disease
• Small sample volume
• Fast throughput

Biochip Technology

Biochip Technology is an immunoassay testing platform and is the core of Randox Biosciences. The intelligent chemically activated 9x9mm ceramic biochip acts as a solid phase reaction vessel. Benefits of Biochip Technology include:

• The biochips are pre-fabricated with discrete test regions (DTR’s)
• Highly accurate testing
• Better diagnosis
• Reduced sample volume
• Wide test menu
• Multiple sample types can be used on a Biochip
• Cost consolidation

Evidence Investigator

The Evidence Investigator offers a high throughput even as a compact, semi-automated analyser promoting lab efficiency and cost saving solutions. Utilising Randox’s patented Biochip Technology, this platform facilitates multiplex testing in a rapid, accurate and easy-to-use format providing a comprehensive patient profile from one single sample. This analyser is suitable for medium throughput laboratories and is extremely robust with only one moving part.

For further information on our early risk detection testing for Alzheimer’s Disease, please email info@randoxbiosciences.com

References

1. https://www.alz.co.uk/info/early-symptoms
2. https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-us/news-and-media/facts-media
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3898682/