A new laser-based test that could diagnose dementia in “less than five minutes” has been created in the UK. The project was a collaboration between experts from University Hospital Southampton and the University of Southampton.
Published on: 17/10/2024 – 21:03
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Currently, diagnosis can take two years or more, but if this new approach is successful, it could make drug treatments available to patients sooner, when they are most likely to be effective, BBC News reports.
The researchers who developed this system said the initial results of a small study are encouraging.
The initiative, called Holistic Optical Biomarkers to Transform Dementia Diagnosis (HOpE), is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). So far, 150 patients have been evaluated, and the results had an accuracy of 93%.
The new technology, known as Multiple Excitation Raman (MX-Raman) Spectroscopy, uses lasers to analyze the composition of a single drop of a body fluid – this can be blood, spinal fluid or mucus.
Light allows scientists to examine and look for changes in proteins, lipids, sugars and other biomolecules.
Huge advantages
The main symptoms of dementia include memory loss, difficulty concentrating, confusion, mood swings, and a decline in language and problem-solving skills.
If we can delay the progression of dementia or the symptoms of dementia, we can prevent nursing home admissions and reduce the amount of extra care they need. If we can delay this by five years, we can have a huge impact economically and also individually and personally
Prof. Chris Kipps, Spitalul Universitar Southampton
“By the time symptoms of dementia and other neurological diseases appear, it is already too late,” said Prof Sumeet Mahajan from the University of Southampton.
However, Professor Mahajan said the biochemical changes occur many years earlier, meaning the test could detect neurological diseases much earlier and put patients on the necessary treatment plans.
Prof Chris Kipps, a neurologist at Southampton University Hospital, said early diagnosis would help people economically
“If we’re talking about prevention, the earlier it can be started, the better,” said Prof. Kipps, quoted by BBC News. “If we can delay the progression of dementia or the symptoms of dementia, we can prevent them from going into a nursing home and reduce the amount of extra care they need. If we can delay this by five years, we can have a huge impact economically and also individually and personally.”
HOpE is one of 36 projects to receive new funding from UKRI and will receive a share of £32.4 million.
The test will be validated and miniaturized over the next two years before entering clinical trials. The ambition is to develop something that could be made available to patients in a clinic or family doctor’s office.
Laser Delight: A Quick Diagnosis for Dementia
Published on: 17/10/2024 – 21:03
Let’s be honest, folks! Struggling to remember where you left your keys is one thing, but being told you might have dementia? That’s a whole other kettle of fish! But hold on to your hats, because some clever folks in the UK are making leaps and bounds in dementia diagnosis that sound more like science fiction than science fact!
Speedy Diagnosis at Your Fingertips
Thanks to a collaboration between University Hospital Southampton and the University of Southampton, they’ve whipped up a laser-based test that claims it can diagnose dementia in less than five minutes. That’s shorter than it takes me to decide what to binge-watch on Netflix – and trust me, that’s an Olympic sport!
Currently, when it comes to diagnosing dementia, you might as well set up camp because it can take up to a jaw-dropping two years. The new approach could dramatically speed up the process, allowing drug treatments to be available sooner when they’re most likely to be effective. Imagine walking into your doctors, having a quick chat, and knowing your diagnosis in the time it takes to order a coffee!
The Magic of MX-Raman Spectroscopy
Now, take a breath because here comes the science bit. The researchers have developed something called Multiple Excitation Raman (MX-Raman) Spectroscopy. Quite the mouthful, eh? It sounds like a dance move you’d do at a wedding after a few too many drinks! This fancy technology uses lasers to analyze the composition of a single drop of body fluid – whether it’s blood, spinal fluid or, heaven forbid, mucus (I mean, who decided that was a good idea?).
With a staggering accuracy of 93% from initial tests involving 150 patients, sounds promising! Let’s just hope we can also convince our relatives to simmer down on the family gossip about our mental faculties while we’re at it!
Why This Matters
As the good ol’ saying goes, time is money – and apparently, in this case, time is also brain health! Early diagnosis means potential treatment before the symptoms slam you like a bad hangover. As Professor Sumeet Mahajan puts it, “By the time symptoms of dementia appear, it’s already too late!”
If we can delay the progression of dementia or the symptoms of dementia, we can prevent nursing home admissions and reduce the amount of extra care they need. If we can delay this by five years, we can have a huge impact economically and also individually and personally.
That’s right! If we can postpone the dreaded nursing home stay by five years, that’s five more years to forget about our significant others’ birthday anniversaries without the consequences being too severe. Just kidding! Or am I?
Funding and Future Plans
The initiative, dubbed HOpE (no, it’s not a motivational poster), has bagged a lovely pot of £32.4 million from UK Research and Innovation. It’s like winning the scientific version of the lottery, but instead of a shiny new car, they’re giving us the gift of quicker diagnosis. Who can complain about that?
In the next two years, the plan is to validate and miniaturize the tech before it dives into clinical trials. Soon, this test could be as routine as a trip to the doctor’s office for a flu shot. Not too shabby, eh?
Conclusion
So, there you have it! The scientific community might just be on the brink of revolutionizing how we tackle dementia diagnosis. Until then, let’s raise a toast – not too strong, mind you – to our soon-to-be laser-powered future. And let’s keep our keys close, just in case!
