It is estimated that more than 55 million people live with this disease neurodegenerative worldwide. However, recent studies suggest that prevention and early detection of Alzheimer’s can change the landscape of the person living with it.
DAvailable for a year at the FACH Clinical Hospital and created by the prominent Chilean neuroscientist Ricardo Maccioni, the Alz Tau test is a non-invasive biomarker that, through a blood sample, supports the early detection of this pathology.
“We found that high (HMW) and low (LMW) molecular weight TAU protein variants in human platelets exhibit significant differences between Alzheimer’s patients and normal control subjects. With this, we established the correlation between the presence of this abnormal platelet protein with the level of cognitive problems in the disease”, said Dr. Maccioni.
From July 26, 2021 until today, around 1,000 people have accessed this test, acclaimed by the scientific community for its predictive capacity and because its characteristics make it less expensive and less invasive than other tests that offer similar results.
-Who can access the test?
-People over 50 years of age or around that age, which is an age that we have indicated as a reference to be able to detect with the Alz-tau sensitivity the eventual pathological changes that guide the subject towards the need to adopt preventive approaches, essentially do not -pharmacological.
-What are the general results so far?
-The results, still preliminary, that have been obtained so far indicate that 63% of the people who have accessed the test are women. People between 60 and 69 years old are the majority group. Interestingly, around 8% of the asymptomatic people who have accessed the test have shown an altered algorithm greater than the normal range, invaluable information that would help to act preventively with changes in lifestyles, search for a healthy longevity and The most important thing is a positive attitude towards life. Obviously, with non-pharmacological approaches.
Will it reach regions?
The good news is that it will reach regions soon, because through a Corfo Neuroinnovation project, the spin-off of the ICC, agreements are being reached with clinics and laboratories in various regions of Chile to implement Alz-tau® technology there. .
The Neuroimmunomodulation Theory
During the meeting in Sweden, the Chilean neuroscientist explained his innovative Neuroimmunomodulation Theory, and the impacts of early detection and prevention in this disease of which there are “many hypotheses” in relation to its origin, however, TAU Pathology is “The one that best explains the clinical history and behavior of patients who suffer from it,” said Dr. Maccioni in his presentation.
-What is TAU Pathology?
-The modification of the structure of tau through hyperphosphorylation induces a change in the spatial organization of the tau protein (conformational change), which leads to its gradual self-aggregation (oligomerization). That is tau pathology, which involves processes of hyperphosphorylation and autoaggregation.
-What does the Neuroimmunomodulation Theory developed by you consist of?
-This theory explains in the best way the causes of Alzheimer’s. It suggests that the pathological hyperphosphorylation of the tau protein would be the result of a neuro-inflammatory process induced by what we call “damage signals”. These signals, which are many (for example vitamin B12 deficiency, excess iron in its oxidative form, LDL lipid particles, material from the microbiota resulting from imbalances at the intestinal level, amyloid peptide oligomers, etc.), would activate microglial cells with its consequent morphological changes.
Activated microglia would release the NFkB factor that would lead to the overexpression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-6, IL1, others), which would translate signals at the neuronal level via certain neuronal receptors, with the consequent activation of CDK5 proteins and Gsk3b and pathological hyperphosphorylation of tau.
This pathological variant of tau would be responsible for the formation of abnormal filamentous structures of the “paired helical filaments” type, and others such as neurofibrillary tangles, which would reactivate microglia, thus continuing a cycle through a positive feedback mechanism.
An investigation that aroused interest in the old continent
Shown simultaneously also through the video call, Dr. Maccioni’s presentation drew the attention not only of the academics present at Karolinska but also of other researchers who followed the broadcast from different parts of the world. The Queen of Sweden, creator of the SilviaHemmet Foundation (an entity dedicated to research into Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia), valued the trajectory, discoveries and contributions made by the academic from the University of Chile on this disease.
In a meeting held with the CEO of this foundation, Dr. Wilhelmina Hoffman, proposals were shared to improve health education to prevent Alzheimer’s and support family members and caregivers of those who suffer from this pathology.
The dissemination of his work caused a high interest in deepening its scope and knowing what is happening in Europe. Thus, alliances were created to develop new research during the second half of 2022 and three Chilean scientists will travel to the Scandinavian country.
Determining the role of nutrition in Alzheimer’s, evaluating the relationship between estrogens and Alzheimer’s, and determining epigenetic changes linked to the disease in different study populations, will be the topics that will be studied, in the case of the latter, collaboration will also be included from other countries, such as Sweden and Germany.
How can you apply? Por three ways: by calling 2 2953 6362; through the website (www.biomedicinaicc.cl) and through the Alz-tau® button on the website www.fundacionmaccioni.com. The value is found on the indicated websites.
