Alzheimer's Disease

A novel smartphone-enabled platform has been developed to detect amyloid-β (Aβ), a biomarker associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The platform uses a fluorescence-responsive small molecule as a probe, offering a simple, cost-effective and accessible approach to biomarker detection.

About Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterised by memory loss, cognitive decline and behavioural impairment. It is the most common cause of dementia worldwide, accounting for approximately 60–80% of all dementia cases.

The disease disrupts communication between brain cells, gradually reducing a person’s cognitive and functional abilities. It usually affects people aged 65 years and above.

Pathology and Role of Amyloid-β

A key feature of Alzheimer’s disease is the misfolding and aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ) proteins. These proteins self-assemble into fibrils and accumulate outside brain cells, forming extracellular amyloid plaques.

These plaques contribute to neurotoxic processes that lead to synaptic dysfunction and neurodegeneration, affecting memory and other cognitive functions.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not fully understood. It is believed to result from a combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors.

Symptoms

Early symptoms commonly include forgetting recent events or conversations. As the disease progresses, individuals may develop severe memory problems and gradually lose the ability to perform everyday activities independently.

Treatment

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, certain medications and therapies can help manage symptoms and provide temporary benefits.