Verification of gas sensors to detect Alzheimer's disease biomarkers with diabetic rats: Biomarkers (non‐neuroimaging) / Novel biomarkers. (7th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Emam, Shadi; Nasrollahpour, Mehdi; Kulkarni, Praveen; Ekenseair, Adam; Ferris, Craig; Sun, Nian‐Xiang
• Is Part Of: Alzheimer's & dementia. Volume 16(2020)Supplement 4
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-12-07
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease -- Periodicals; Alzheimer Disease -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Periodicals; Démence; Maladie d'Alzheimer; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.83
• DOI: 10.1002/alz.043611
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1552-5260

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Evidences prove that individuals with Type‐2 insulin resistant diabetes have a two‐three folder greater risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The abnormal glucose metabolism leads to the increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) a hallmark of diabetes and AD. ROS‐induced lipid peroxidation can lead to neuronal damage and cell death and is thought to be a contributing factor to disease progression in AD. Method: Recently, we introduced an array of electrochemical gas sensor to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) biomarkers in the exhaled breath. The sensors were later tested with a rat model that combined the human ApoE4 gene with aging and the Western diet. Gas sensors fabricated from molecularly imprinted polymer‐graphene were engineered to react with alkanes and small fatty acids (butylated hydroxytoluene, pivalic acid and, 2, 3 dimethyl heptane) associated with lipid peroxidation. With a detection sensitivity in parts per trillion, the sensors were sensitive against the breath of wild‐type and APOE4 male rats with 100% sensitivity, specificity and, accuracy. The results were matching with the resting state BOLD functional connectivity which is used to assess hippocampal function. Result: The present study was designed to test the Alzheimer's sensor on diabetic rats. Since diabetes and AD share the same vascular problem, the question was that whether they share the same biomarkers as well or not. So, six rats with diabetic symptoms were tested with AD sensors and the result was negative. None of the sensors was sensitive to the breath of diabetic rats. Conclusion: This result is confirming that the sensors are detecting biomarkers that are only specific to Alzheimer's disease, not to a very similar disease such as diabetes.