Using advanced data and light technology to study Alzheimer’s disease

This project is a collaboration between Maastricht University and iLoF, a biotechnology company based in Oxford and Lisbon specializing in photonics—a new technique that detects molecular particles using lasers. Together, they aim to identify specific markers that can improve the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by distinguishing between different subtypes of AD patients.

AD is the most common form of dementia, affecting around 30% of people over 85 years old. It is a neurodegenerative disease that leads to progressive deterioration in cognitive function, severely impacting the quality of life for those affected. Current medications only manage symptoms, and better diagnostic tools are needed to personalize treatment approaches. This project addresses this challenge by exploring innovative light-based technology to analyse blood samples, aiming to deliver more accurate diagnoses and guide the development of effective treatments. The results could lead to more tailored care, repurposing existing drugs, and identifying new therapeutic targets.

In this project, they will compare samples from individuals with AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and healthy controls. They will analyse proteins and chemical particles in serum, cerebrospinal fluid, and brain tissue collected from the same individuals. Through advanced data analysis, it is expected to discover molecular signatures specific to different subtypes of AD, which could lead to new treatment strategies. Additionally, integrating our findings with iLoF’s optical fingerprinting technology (OptomicsÒ) could pave the way for non-invasive biomarkers for early detection and monitoring of AD and MCI.

The findings from this project are expected to contribute to better diagnosis and treatment options for AD, ultimately improving care and outcomes for patients.

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