£New Technique Uses Light to Monitor Alzheimer’s in Non-Invasive Way
A Scottish researcher is leading an international effort to develop a new, non-invasive technique for monitoring Alzheimer’s disease using light.
Dr. Akhil Kallepalli, a Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Strathclyde’s Department of Biomedical Engineering, is collaborating with researchers from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Their project, funded in part by an EPSRC Overseas Travel Grant, aims to combine existing brain imaging techniques with the innovative approach of single-pixel imaging.
How it Works
“The current state-of-the-art for monitoring brain activity is diffuse optical tomography. It’s excellent for observing surfaces activity but struggles to capture deeper brain region activity,” Dr. Kallepalli explains,
“Our proposal is to develop single-pixel imaging in a way that enhances the capabilities of DOT. This method involves shining light into the brain and detecting the returned signal.”
This technique uses light to gather data, making it potentially safer and more accessible than more invasive methods.
“We want to see if this can improve the distinct measure of DOT to create a more comprehensive image of the brain activity,” he says.
“Rather than having intense light sources emitting constantly, our method elaborately uses very small laser pulses specifically when the signal is needed.”
Targeting the Complexities of Alzheimer’s
Dr. Kallepalli emphasizes the need for enhanced technology in understanding the intricacies of Alzheimer’s disease. This neurodegenerative disease is characterized by the buildup of proteins, including amyloid and tau, within the brain, disrupting normal cognitive function
“Using light is generally safer and more economical than some of the other more sophisticated techniques out there for studying Alzheimer’s,” Dr. Kalleopal
“We’re still in the early development process,” he says, acknowledging the early stages of development but expressing optimism for the project’s potential.
“What’s exciting is combining this technique with existing technologies to obtain a clearer picture of what’s happening in the affected brain regions. This new approach has the potential to provide valuable apparatusments for diagnosing and monitoring Alzheimer’s,” believes Dr. Kallepalli.
Dr. Kallepalli will conduct much of his research at Washington University, utilizing their high-density DOT scanners. Researchers from Imperial College London will also be involved, further enriching the international collaboration, contributing to the project’s premise through a collaborative effort.
What are the potential benefits of Dr. Kallepalli’s research for Alzheimer’s patients and their families?
## New Hope: Shining a Light on Alzheimer’s Monitoring
**Interviewer:** Welcome to the show, Dr. Kallepalli. Your research on using light to monitor Alzheimer’s is fascinating. Can you tell us a bit about it?
**Dr. Kallepalli:** Absolutely. We’re working on a new, non-invasive technique that combines existing brain imaging methods with single-pixel imaging. It aims to overcome challenges faced by current methods like diffuse optical tomography, which struggles to capture activity in deeper brain regions.
**Interviewer:** How does single-pixel imaging improve upon current techniques?
**Dr. Kallepalli:** Single-pixel imaging allows us to gather more detailed information about brain activity by using a single detector to capture light that has passed through the brain. This approach can potentially provide a clearer picture of what’s happening deep within the brain, which is crucial for understanding Alzheimer’s progression.
**Interviewer:** What does this mean for Alzheimer’s patients and their families?
**Dr. Kallepalli:** This technology has the potential to revolutionize how we monitor and diagnose Alzheimer’s disease.
Earlier and more accurate detection could lead to timely interventions and better management of the disease.
**Interviewer:** Are there any challenges you face in developing this technology?
**Dr. Kallepalli:** Certainly. One of the main challenges is refining the single-pixel imaging technique to make it sensitive and accurate enough to detect the subtle changes associated with Alzheimer’s in the brain.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights with us, Dr. Kallepalli. This research offers promising hope for millions affected by Alzheimer’s.
It’s important to note that while light therapy shows promise for managing some dementia symptoms [[1](https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/treatments/alternative-therapies/light-therapy-and-dementia)], Dr. Kallepalli’s research focuses on using light for **monitoring** the disease, not treating it.
