Breakthrough Ultrasensitive Platform Enables Precise Detection of Alzheimer's Biomarkers in Body Fluids

The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) has introduced a groundbreaking diagnostic technology capable of detecting ultra-trace levels of Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers with remarkable accuracy. By amplifying the optical signals of target molecules over 100 million times through a novel Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) platform, researchers can now measure multiple Alzheimer’s biomarkers directly in body fluids such as blood and cerebrospinal fluid.

This innovative sensing system utilizes specially designed gold nanoparticles with sunflower-shaped cross-sections, providing highly uniform and strong SERS signals across particles. This design addresses the limitations of conventional spherical nanoparticles and ensures highly reproducible, reliable results at the single-particle level. The platform can detect Alzheimer’s-related peptides, Aβ42 and Aβ40, at concentrations as low as 8.7 × 10⁻¹⁷ g/mL and 1.0 × 10⁻¹⁵ g/mL respectively, surpassing the sensitivity of traditional methods like ELISA.

Traditional imaging techniques such as PET and MRI are costly and typically only effective at later stages of disease progression, making early diagnosis difficult. Serum-based tests with lower accuracy have hindered early detection in clinical settings. The new SERS-based platform offers a simpler, cost-effective solution suitable for early diagnosis, enabling healthcare providers to monitor disease progression more effectively.

The research, published in the journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics, demonstrates that this multiplexed detection method provides accurate quantification of distinct biomarkers simultaneously. Dr. You Eun-Ah, lead researcher at KRISS, emphasized the platform’s versatility and potential for mass production at low cost. She highlighted its promising application beyond Alzheimer’s to diagnose other neurological conditions, cancers, and infectious diseases.

This advancement paves the way for rapid, reliable, and early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, significantly impacting patient management and treatment outcomes. The technology's capacity for early detection aligns with global efforts to combat the rising prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders and improve healthcare strategies.