Alzheimer, found messages in the bottle of sick neurons

Discovered the 'bottled messages' released in the bloodstream by neurons affected by Alzheimer's: enclosed in small membrane vesicles, they are disease-specific RNA strands that could pave the way for new blood tests for early diagnosis. This is indicated by the study published in the Cells magazine by Chiara Fenoglio and Maria Serpente, researchers of the group coordinated by Elio Scarpini and Daniela Galimberti of Centro Dino Ferrari, of Policlinico and State University of Milan.

Extracellular vesicles are microscopic shuttles used in cell communication. Their release, the researchers explain, "occurs both in normal and pathological conditions, giving these microscopic vesicles enormous potential as a diagnostic, but also therapeutic tool. Being produced by all types of cells, the vesicles are found in all biological fluids. Furthermore, once produced, they present specific markers on their surface, molecular 'labels' that identify their origin. "

Thanks to their laboratory analyzes, the researchers managed to isolate and characterize the vesicles released by the neurons, studying the microRna contained within them: they thus identified some that are found only and exclusively in the fraction of vesicles derived from neurons and which are most expressed in the sick. This 'molecular signature' could help identify new peripheral markers to diagnose Alzheimer's with a simple blood test, paving the way for similar developments for other neurodegenerative diseases such as frontotemporal dementia.