Scientists developing early Alzheimer’s disease detection sensor

By Melissa Shaw Researchers with the SFU Nanodevice Fabrication Group are developing a new biosensor that can be used to screen for Alzheimer's disease and other diseases. An overview of their work has been recently published in the journal Nature Communications. Their sensor works by detecting a particular type of small protein, in this case a cytokine known as Tumour Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF alpha), which is involved with inflammation in the body. Abnormal cytokine levels have been linked to a wide variety of diseases including Alzheimer's disease, cancers, heart disease, autoimmune and cardiovascular disease. TNF alpha can act as a biomarker, a measurable characteristic indicating health status. COVID-19 can also cause inflammatory reactions known as -cytokine storms,- and studies have shown that cytokine inhibitors are an effective treatment for improving chances of survival. -Our goal is to develop a sensor that's less invasive, less expensive and simpler to use than existing methods,- says Engineering Science Assistant Professor Michael Adachi, the project's co-lead.