<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>327780</docID> <postdate>2024-08-28 08:33:38</postdate> <headline>Finger-prick test could screen for early Alzheimer’s</headline> <body><p><img class=" wp-image-280610" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/hands-gdc5a3670b_1920-resized.jpg" alt="" width="905" height="603" /></p> <caption>"Most patients with neurodegenerative disease are typically diagnosed at advanced stages. Sadly, treatments targeting late-onset disease provide limited therapeutic benefit," Prof Pase said.</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Holly Hales</strong> in Melbourne</span></p> <p><strong>Alzheimer's disease could soon be detected by GPs using a small, handheld device developed by Australian experts.</strong></p> <p>Monash University engineers have developed the first-of-a-kind finger-prick blood test to detect the hallmark protein in early Alzheimer's before symptoms progress.</p> <p>The size of a credit card, it uses world-first patented sensor technology to detect ultra low concentrations of disease markers in blood in minutes.</p> <p>Associate Prof Sudha Mokkapati, from Monash Materials Science and Engineering, said the device removes the need for laboratory-pathology tests and could change the prognosis for countless people.</p> <p>"It's simple to use, low-cost and portable so it could be made widely accessible to GPs to screen patients right at the point-of-care," Prof Mokkapati said.</p> <p>"Detecting very early disease in large populations could dramatically change the trajectory of this burdening disease for many patients and shave millions off associated healthcare costs."</p> <p>Alzheimer's, a debilitating and progressive neurodegenerative disease, affects up to one-in-10 Australians over 65 and three-in-10 Australians over 85.</p> <p>It's the second leading cause of death in Australia, according to the Australian Alzheimer's Research Foundation.</p> <p>The next stage is to undertake the clinical validation and get the funding needed to bring it a step closer to reality, Prof Mokkapati said.</p> <p>Associate Professor Matthew Pase, at Monash's School of Psychological Sciences, said the device could facilitate earlier and more efficient diagnosis.</p> <p>"Most patients with neurodegenerative disease are typically diagnosed at advanced stages. Sadly, treatments targeting late-onset disease provide limited therapeutic benefit," Prof Pase said.</p> <p>"Earlier screening could change the outlook for many patients diagnosed with cognitive impairment, increasing the chance of halting or slowing symptom development and the rapid progression of the disease."</p> </body>