Alzheimer’s Disease Month at Randox Biosciences
Alzheimer’s Disease Month at Randox Biosciences
15 September 2020
Alzheimer’s Risk Array from Randox Biosciences
September 2020 marks the 9th 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
- https://www.alz.co.uk/info/early-symptoms
- https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-us/news-and-media/facts-media
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3898682/
RESEARCH
BIOPHARMA
CLINICAL LAB
BIOREAGENTS
Cerebral Array II from Randox Biosciences
13 August 2020
Cerebral Array II from Randox Biosciences
Randox Biosciences’ Cerebral Array II has been designed for the simultaneous measurement of analytes associated with nervous system dysfunctions such as Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis. The array harnesses multiplex testing measuring up to five biomarkers simultaneously using a single patient sample with a turnaround time of 2.5 hours. It is suitable for human serum, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. Our Cerebral Array II offers excellent sensitivity, precision and recovery as well as analytical performance.
Cerebral Array II
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
- D-Dimer
- Neuron Specific Enolase (NSE)
- Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL)
- Soluble Tumour Necrosis Factor Receptor I (sTNFRI)
Key Benefits of Cerebral Array II
- Multiplex testing from a single sample
- Suitable for human serum, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples
- Small sample volume
- Excellent analytical performance
- Fast throughput
- Applicable to fully automated and semi-automated Evidence platforms
Your central nervous system is your body’s control centre which includes the spinal cord and a large network of nerves and neurons. Together, the nervous system controls everything from your senses to the muscles throughout your body. When this is damaged, triggered by an illness or injury it can disturb many functions including memory, sensation and even a person’s personality.1 Up to 1 billion people (1 in 6 of the world’s population) suffer from neurological disorders from Alzheimer and Parkinson Disease, strokes, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy.2
World Health Organisation (WHO) categorizes neurological disorders in two groups which is shown in the table below3. Group one is classified as neurological disorders in neuropsychiatry which are non-communicable diseases (NCD). NCD is a disease that is not transmissible directly from one person to another. Group two are disorders/injuries with neurological sequelae meaning a pathological condition resulting from a prior disease, injury, or attack.
| GROUP ONE | GROUP TWO |
| Epilepsy | Cerebrovascular disease |
| Alzheimer and Other Dementias | Neuroinfectious |
| Parkinson’s Disease | Nutritional deficiencies and neuropathies |
| Multiple Sclerosis | Neurological injuries |
| Migraine |
Randox Biosciences can assist in cerebrovascular research by providing innovative diagnostic technology and tests that will continue to revolutionise the healthcare industry and assist in academic research. This technology includes our Evidence Investigator and our Cerebral Array II which can be used to assist in the discovery and research of Cerebral diseases.
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 Cerebral Array please visit the Randox Biosciences website.
For any other enquiries please email info@randoxbiosciences.com
References:
RESEARCH
BIOPHARMA
CLINICAL LAB
BIOREAGENTS
National Brain Awareness Week 11th – 15th March 2019
This year, National Brain Awareness Week runs from the 11th onto the 15th March 2019; a full week dedicated to brain health to increase public awareness of the progress and research of brain health.
Every single brain is unique and therefore, there are no two brains that are alike. The brain is an incredible and powerful organ which works throughout your life – starting from the womb to the end. It controls your body functioning in response to processing new information, developing new experiences and allowing you to understand and interact with the world. It contains one hundred billion nerve cells or neurons and each of the neurons can contact thousands of other cells via tiny structures called synapses. Our brains form a million new connections for every second of our lives.1
There are many conditions which can affect the brain including brain injuries, cerebrovascular injuries such as strokes or brain tumors, neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia or Parkinson’s disease, or even psychological conditions.
There is increasing evidence that the choices we make in life can have significant impacts on the health of our brain and bodies as we grow older. Doctors and scientific researchers have discovered that it’s possible to improve brain health and reduce the risk of dementia and age-related cognitive decline by making simple yet small lifestyle changes – for example, improving your physical exercise.
Physical experience is not only good for the heart but also has a positive impact on the brain as well. People who exercise regularly have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease as exercise improves blood flow and memory. Another way to improve your brain health is to get your eight hours of sleep. Poor sleeping patterns can increase your chances of developing the brain conditions highlighted above. Also, eating well and eating foods that improve brain function will go a long way – for example, berries, fish, turmeric, green tea, avocado, walnuts and even dark chocolate.
Caroline Abrahams, Director of Age UK said: ‘The changes that we need to make to keep our brains healthy are already proven to be good for the heart and overall health, so it’s common sense for us all to try to build them into our lives.’ 3
Randox Biosciences offers the Apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4) Array. The Apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4) Array is a research use-only product developed for the Evidence Investigator. The ApoE4 Array measures both total ApoE protein levels and ApoE4 protein levels directly from plasma samples and by using a ratio it can classify patients as negative or positive for ApoE4. In turn we can then assess their risk for the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
For further information about the Randox Alzheimer’s Array or our Evidence Investigator, please email info@randoxbiosciences.com
Maintaining optimal brain health
Do you want to have optimal brain function later in life? We do. The majority of people focus on keeping their bodies in optimal condition but often forget about the most important organ, the brain. With more of us living until we’re much older, reduced brain function and Alzheimer’s are becoming increasingly more common; it is one of the most feared consequences of aging. We expect our bodies to age due to wear and tear; however there are easy ways to slow it, you will be glad to hear. Here are some top tips to keep your brain health at its peak.
- Get physical exercise
It is becoming an increasingly well-known fact by scientists that regular exercise may be the single most important thing you can do to ensure optimum brain health. The reason for this is that exercise increases the blood supply to your brain so therefore increases your brain capacity. Experts advise 30 minutes of exercise every other day to ensure good mental health. Exercise also helps with cholesterol levels, mental stress and diabetes.
- Eat, eat, eat
Good nutrition is also essential for good brain health. Your brain is no different to any other organ: the better the fuel it receives; the better it works, simple. As with everything it is important to keep your calories in check as it has been proven to reduce mental illness. We aim to reduce the consumption of saturated fats and cholesterol as these can decrease brain function. No matter who you are, vitamins are also very important to ensure not only a healthy brain, but a healthy body. Vitamins of particular importance are folic acid, B6 and B12 which it is well-known can help lower your homocysteine levels. There is an ever-growing body of research which suggests that homocysteine levels have a strong correlation with Alzheimer’s and dementia. If you would like to read more about the link between homocysteine and Alzheimer’s, check out our previous blog post ‘How important is homocysteine research for Alzheimer’s disease?’
- Get enough sleep
Recent studies have suggested that a poor sleeping pattern is linked with cognitive decline in old age. A good night’s rest can actually double the chances of finding creative solutions to problems faced in everyday life! It has been proven that when we don’t sleep, proteins build up on the brain. These proteins build on the synapses, making it hard to think and learn new information; which is not conducive to good brain health.
- De-stress
Relaxation is key in a healthy lifestyle. Stress has a negative impact on the brain. It creates harmful chemicals to flow over areas of the brain that are in control of memory. Too much of these chemicals can lead to dementia and other memory loss related diseases, so maybe it’s not such a bad idea that you take that trip to the Bahamas you were thinking about!
- Improve you cholesterol
Cholesterol is commonly split up into good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL). There are loads of ways to improve your cholesterol levels such as exercise, weight control, dieting and avoiding tobacco. It is very important to keep you levels of LDL down as high levels can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s, dementia and cardiac problems in old age. At Randox we are constantly coming up with new and exciting ways of monitoring your cholesterol and the launch of our new HDL3 test is coming soon. For more information on HDL3, check it out here!
- Brain exercises
Challenging your mind from time to time is important for good brain health; it keeps your brain active and uses cognitive thought to try and learn or solve a problem. It is thought that a lack of education is a strong influence in cognitive decline. Challenging your brain improves memory, develops critical thinking and stimulates the whole brain ensuring brain health is kept to a maximum. It can often be done in fun ways like brain teasers, puzzles and jigsaws. Check out our recent brain teaser here!
These are only some of the ways in which to keep your brain in peak condition. Aging will take a toll on everyone and it is impossible to avoid; however these 6 techniques can help maintain optimal brain function! We have been keeping up to date with Alzheimer’s in celebration of World Alzheimer’s Month. Remember a healthy brain is the key to success!
For health professionals
Randox Laboratories manufacture a wide range of routine and niche biochemistry reagents suitable for both research and clinical use. These include an automated homocysteine test and our new HDL3 cholesterol assay. Please contact reagents@randox.com for further information.
