Applications of Biosensors in Parkinson's diagnosis
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Sheyda Keshani Asl,1 Mohammad Kazemi,2,*
1. Urmia University
2. Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch
- Introduction: One of the most common age-related neurodegenerative diseases after Alzheimer's disease (AD) is Parkinson’s disease (PD). The diagnosis of Parkinson's disease depends on clinical prognosis. The loss of neurons that are compressed in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), causes PD, Which is one of the main pathological features of the PD. However, laboratory tests are not yet available for definitive diagnosis of PD.
- Methods: Biosensors are cost-effective, analytical devices used to detect biomarkers in a non-aggressive way. They can provide more accuracy and broader range of applicability with faster response and lower costs compared with clinical diagnosis. Biosensors usually consist of a biological sensing element that can convert the biological response made by binding target analyte and sensing biomolecule to electronic signal.
Biomarkers are cellular or molecular variations that measuring them in biological media (blood, urine, etc.) can lead to diagnosis, causes and progression of a disease. There are various types of biomarkers used to study different disorders.
Different types of biomarkers (clinical, pathological, imaging, biochemical) can be used in the study of PD.
- Results: In this study, the use of biosensors in detecting some biomarkers which indicates PD were investigated.
DJ-1 protein is a potential neurodegeneration biomarker. The biosensor developed to detect it is a ITO/AuNP/11-AUT/MWCNT/anti-DJ-1 neuro-biosensor, with DJ-1 antigen as the sensing unit.
Protein DJ-1 is made by instructions that contain the genes Park7. The Park7 gene plays an important role in antioxidant defense that protects cells from oxidative stress and has been identified as Parkinson's disease. Studies show that loss of the function of DJ-1 protein is closely related to PD and can lead to this disease.
α-synuclein is The main protein involved in PD. It is a protein that is found a lot in the brain and is abundant and more expressed in nerve tissue. The nature of this protein is Lewys amyloid in PD. α-synuclein Increases transmitter release from the presynaptic terminal, so it plays an essential role in synaptic plasticity and synaptic transmission. However, the physiological role of α-syn is unclear. Acute symptoms of pathogenesis occur in PD when improper accumulation or α-syn fibrillation in Lewy bodies. To monitor α-synuclein, a biosensor was developed based on graphene with a combination of glutamic acid and gold nanoparticles, and antibody joined with.
- Conclusion: Diagnosis of PD is usually based on clinical examinations and motor symptoms. But the problem is when these symptoms occur, it’s at the middle of the disease stage. Accordingly, it’s vital to be able to diagnose PD before in early stages to help the path of the treatment and boost the lifestyle.
That’s why biosensors are important. They’re able to detect biomarkers, which are indicators of PD development before it gets severe and shows clinical symptoms. Another advantage of them is more accuracy and quicker response. Also, biosensors are easy to build and operate. They have fully defined and controllable structures at the nanoscale, They are also cheaper, and their use is significant.
The sensitivity and diagnostic quality of biosensors increases due to the use of applied nanomaterials and graphite and gold nanoparticles.
Some other biosensors are also developed to monitor biomarkers that analyzing them can help to control disease progression and adjust dose of the drugs. These biosensors can also become real time devices that constantly monitor biomarkers like L-Dopa and also dopamine, which play a significant role in PD progression.
- Keywords: Biosensors, Parkinson’s disease, Dopamine, Neurodegenerative diseases, Biomarkers.
