Introduction

Early diagnosis of Central Nervous system (CNS) pathologies is one of the most relevant clinical objectives. Once the symptoms appear, the diagnosis is done by performing cognitive tests and invasive practices. The invention provides a non-invasive method for the early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases associated with synapse dysfunction, the first toxic event common to several CNS diseases.

Technical features

An early diagnostic method, non-invasive and capable of distinguishing synaptopathy is essential to allow timely clinical intervention, monitor the evolution of the disease and the effect of eventual drug therapies. To date, there are no diagnostic methods that meet these needs. In fact, they are based on cognitive tests and cerebrospinal fluid collection that cannot be repeated frequently. In addition, they are operated only when the first symptoms arise. The patented method is based on specific and standardized measurement of a biomarker, associated with different CNS pathologies, whose values vary between healthy and sick patients, but also between patients with different pathologies. The biomarker can be measured in the cerebrospinal fluid as well as in blood, saliva and nasal mucosa. Thus, it is a non-invasive method that can be repeated periodically on patients but also on the entire population “at risk” to develop a neurological disease.
Declared TRL: 3

Possible Applications

• Early diagnosis of CNS pathologies;
• Wide range screening of highly risky population;
• Monitoring of disease progression;
• Monitoring of the effect of potential pharmacological therapies.

Advantages

• Predictive and prognostic method;
• Early diagnosis;
• Non-invasive method;
• Easy to use;
• High sensitivity.