The FDA's recent approval of a groundbreaking blood test for Alzheimer's diagnosis is a significant milestone for the School of Nursing's wet lab. Led by nursing researcher Carleara Weiss, the lab focuses on the intricate relationship between Alzheimer's disease and various biomarkers, including those related to neurodegeneration, sleep disturbances, and cognitive decline. These biomarkers are essential indicators of how individuals respond to treatments and the progression of diseases. The FDA-approved blood-based biomarker tests specifically target neurodegeneration linked to Alzheimer's disease, a crucial advancement in the field.
Assistant Professor of Nursing Weiss is already utilizing the FDA-approved technology, which employs phosphorylated tau protein (pTau) and beta-amyloid to study cognitive decline caused by Alzheimer's. Her expertise and state-of-the-art equipment enable her to perform these tests and apply them in research aimed at enhancing brain and sleep health. By identifying interventions that slow down biomarker accumulation, Weiss is making significant strides in Alzheimer's research.
The FDA's approval of this blood-based biomarker test has elevated the value of Weiss's work, according to School of Nursing officials. It confirms the scientific validity of the biomarkers her lab uses and increases demand for her specialized expertise and laboratory capabilities. Weiss's research extends beyond Alzheimer's screening, as she explores the connection between biomarkers and sleep disorders, gender, race, and ethnicity. Her goal is to establish standard preventive care practices for Alzheimer's, similar to those for cancer.
Despite the FDA test's role as a screening tool, indicating a patient's risk of developing Alzheimer's, Weiss is also investigating other potential biomarkers and cognitive assessments. These additional tests aim to improve risk detection and diagnosis, including predicting the time until a person with a positive test will develop Alzheimer's disease. This work has the potential to open doors for new research collaborations and funding opportunities within the UB wet lab.
The primary objective of the FDA-approved test is early detection, enabling patients to receive answers through less-invasive methods. When patients receive timely diagnoses, clinicians require effective, non-invasive interventions to preserve cognitive function. Weiss's research on sleep and neurodegeneration directly addresses this need, making her work even more clinically relevant and timely, according to School of Nursing administrators. She is currently supported by a National Institute of Health grant to study the effects of nicotinamide riboside (NR), a vitamin B3 derivative, on sleep and memory in older adults.
Weiss's lab at the University at Buffalo School of Nursing is equipped with modern, ultrasensitive technology, allowing her to identify new biomarkers associated with specific clinical conditions and demographics, such as obstructive sleep apnea and African Americans. She collaborates with various funding agencies, including the Alzheimer's Association, to expand her research, making significant contributions to the field of Alzheimer's disease and sleep health.
