In the study, published in the online journal Scientific
Reports, researchers studied three separate mouse models,
known as APP mice, which mimic Alzheimer’s-related brain
pathology.
Using both behavioral and chemical analyses, the researchers
found that each strain of APP mice produced urinary odor
profiles that could be distinguished from those of control mice.
The odor changes were not the result of new compounds being
created in the body, but instead were shifts in concentrations
of normal urinary compounds.
The odor differences between control mice and those with
Alzheimer's preceded detectable amounts of plaque build-up in
the brains of the APP mice. Additional studies showed that the
distinctive odor profiles could be used to predictively identify
APP mice versus control mice.
One of the hallmark indicators of Alzheimer’s disease is an
excess of amyloid plaque deposits in the brain. Scientists mimic
this pathology in mouse models by introducing human genes
associated with mutations of the amyloid-β precursor protein
gene into the mouse genome. These genes are then activated to
make excess amyloid-β protein, leading to plaque buildup in the
brains of APP mice.
Researchers hope the odor-related signature can also be used as
a non-invasive means to identify other neurodegenerative
diseases.
Could Alzheimer's Be Diagnosed By a Simple Urine Test?
(Copyright iStock) By Sylvia Booth Hubbard | Thursday, 14 Jan 2016
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, and it's believed it affects more than 5.1 million Americans over the age of 65. However, there is no definite diagnostic test in living persons, and it's usually diagnosed by a series of tests that rule out other causes of dementia.
A new study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), found that mice with Alzheimer's disease have a definitive odor signature that appears in urine before significant brain destruction takes place, suggesting it may be possible to develop a non-invasive tool for early diagnosis.
"We have evidence that urinary odor signatures can be altered by changes in the brain characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease," said study author and chemical ecologist Bruce Kimball. "This finding may also have implications for other neurologic diseases."
Early detection of the disease before the onset of mental deterioration could possibly point the way to new treatments that could slow the disease's progression.
Identification of an early biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease could potentially allow physicians to diagnose the debilitating disorder before the onset of brain decline and mental deterioration, paving the way for upcoming treatments to slow early progression of the disease.
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