The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
MND diagnosis breakthrough
Aberdeen scientists have developed a “game changer” in the battle against motor neurone disease with a test that spots signs of the condition before symptoms appear.
The tool, known as TDP-43 aptamer, is able to detect damaged cell proteins in brain tissue samples.
Aberdeen University researchers said these proteins are indicators, or biomarkers, of MND that can be spotted before cells begin to malfunction and symptoms start to appear.
Dr Holly Spence, from Aberdeen University, said: “Our findings have implications for early diagnostics and intervention prior to symptom onset in MND.
“With better ability to detect disease, we might be able to diagnose people with MND earlier, when therapeutic
drugs might be much more effective.”
MND affects around 5,000 people in the UK. There is no cure for the condition, but treatments can help reduce its impact on a person’s daily life.
It is caused by a build-up of certain proteins in the brain that clump together, causing the cells to gradually stop working. Symptoms include impaired movement, thinking and breathing, which worsen over time.
The researchers said their test could pick up indicators of MND earlier and with more sensitivity than methods currently used.
Dr Jenna Gregory, from Aberdeen University, said: “This tool ‘targets’ the disease protein and allows us to see where toxic clumps are building up in the body.
“It can do this for much lower amounts of disease proteins, and with greater accuracy than ever before.
“This could be a game changer for MND research, diagnostics and treatment.”
Jessica Lee, director of research at the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation – set up by the late Scottish rugby union player Doddie Weir – said: “We now need robust biomarkers of disease to support the evaluation of treatments and to speed up diagnosis. This exciting new technology holds promise to do just that.”