Home > Press > UCF developing diagnostic tool kit for dementia
Abstract:
UCF researchers are teaming up with Boston University to develop a miniature diagnostic tool kit that will detect the early onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
By Monica Agatstein
According to the World Alzheimer Report, which is published by Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI), an estimated 35.6 million people worldwide will be living with dementia in 2010. The disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the nation.
"Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are going to affect society in a big way because so many people are going to be affected in the next year or so," said Sudipta Seal, director of UCF's NanoScience Technology and Advanced Materials Processing and Analysis Center. "Early detection of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's is very important and that is what we're going to do."
The $346,000 collaborative research project is being funded by the National Science Foundation and will take place over the course of three years, Seal said.
Seal is also working with Hyoung-Jin Cho, an associate professor of mechanical, materials and aerospace engineering and a researcher at the NanoScience Technology Center.
"If we can understand what is causing these diseases, we can have better care in the future," Seal said.
The device is being built at UCF while research is also being conducted at Boston University with Dr. Lee Goldstein. Goldstein is an associate professor in psychiatry, neurology, ophthalmology, pathology and laboratory medicine, and biomedical engineering and photonics. He was introduced to Seal at a conference where they discussed their research. That interaction led to the collaboration on the project.
The main goal is to understand the basic biology of these diseases and this tool will also enable the development of new diagnostics and new treatments, Goldstein said.
The project will use "nanoparticles on a chip about the size of a credit card to detect damaging levels of oxygen byproducts in the central nervous system," according to a UCF News & Information article. The byproducts, known as reactive oxygen species, are a main component of serious neurodegenerative diseases, and the research conducted throughout this project will give a better understanding of these byproducts, potentially giving way to more effective treatments.
The early symptoms of dementia include memory loss, difficulty performing familiar tasks, problems with language, disorientation to time and place, poor or decreased judgment, problems with keeping track of things, changes in mood or behavior, changes in personality and loss of initiative, according to ADI.
An existing diagnosis process involves studying the history of the person's problem from a close relative or friend in addition to an examination of the person's physical and mental status. There is no simple test and dementia can only be confirmed by an examination of the brain post-mortem, according to ADI.
The new device will be more sensitive and cost effective. After three years the project is planned to move to animal trial and the device may be completed in an estimated seven to nine years, Seal said.
"I believe that the number [of people with Alzheimer's] is significantly larger than those who are diagnosed because we are unable to detect the disease early or separate it from other disorders," Goldstein said. "We're dealing with a national health care crisis and there is a tremendous urgency for this."
####
About University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida is one of the most dynamic universities in the country. Offering 225 degree programs, it has become an academic and research leader in numerous fields, such as optics, modeling and simulation, engineering and computer science, business administration, education, science, hospitality management and digital media.
UCF’s 1,415-acre main campus provides modern facilities, most of which have wireless abilities, with 600 acres set aside for lakes, woods and an arboretum. UCF now has 12 colleges, including the newly established College of Medicine, and College of Graduate Studies. More than 53,000 students attend classes on UCF's main campus and its 11 regional campuses located throughout Central Florida. UCF has granted more than 186,000 degrees in its 40 years of offering classes.
For more information, please click here
Copyright © University of Central Florida
If you have a comment, please Contact us.Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
Related News Press |
News and information
Flexible electronics integrated with paper-thin structure for use in space January 17th, 2025
Quantum engineers ‘squeeze’ laser frequency combs to make more sensitive gas sensors January 17th, 2025
Govt.-Legislation/Regulation/Funding/Policy
Quantum engineers ‘squeeze’ laser frequency combs to make more sensitive gas sensors January 17th, 2025
Chainmail-like material could be the future of armor: First 2D mechanically interlocked polymer exhibits exceptional flexibility and strength January 17th, 2025
Possible Futures
Quantum engineers ‘squeeze’ laser frequency combs to make more sensitive gas sensors January 17th, 2025
The National Space Society Congratulates SpaceX on Starship’s 7th Test Flight: Latest Test of the Megarocket Hoped to Demonstrate a Number of New Technologies and Systems January 17th, 2025
Nanomedicine
Exosomes: A potential biomarker and therapeutic target in diabetic cardiomyopathy November 8th, 2024
Unveiling the power of hot carriers in plasmonic nanostructures August 16th, 2024
Sensors
Quantum engineers ‘squeeze’ laser frequency combs to make more sensitive gas sensors January 17th, 2025
Beyond wires: Bubble technology powers next-generation electronics:New laser-based bubble printing technique creates ultra-flexible liquid metal circuits November 8th, 2024
Nanotechnology: Flexible biosensors with modular design November 8th, 2024
Announcements
Quantum engineers ‘squeeze’ laser frequency combs to make more sensitive gas sensors January 17th, 2025
The National Space Society Congratulates SpaceX on Starship’s 7th Test Flight: Latest Test of the Megarocket Hoped to Demonstrate a Number of New Technologies and Systems January 17th, 2025
Nanobiotechnology
Exosomes: A potential biomarker and therapeutic target in diabetic cardiomyopathy November 8th, 2024
![]() |
||
![]() |
||
The latest news from around the world, FREE | ||
![]() |
![]() |
||
Premium Products | ||
![]() |
||
Only the news you want to read!
Learn More |
||
![]() |
||
Full-service, expert consulting
Learn More |
||
![]() |