Speaker
Dr
Alberto Astolfo
(PSI)
Description
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder causing the most prevalent form of dementia. AD is characterized by a prominent accumulation of protein aggregates in affected regions of the brain called amyloid β plaques (Aβ) that are used as markers for defining and monitoring the pathology. An active role of Aβ on the AD progress was proposed in the past suggesting the clearing of the Aβ as a possible cure for AD. Recently, controversial results have indicated that the Aβ role is predominant in the early stage of the disease. Therefore further studies are necessary toward a definitive AD cure.
In the framework of the Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI), a team composed by researchers from EPFL, Roche and PSI is developing an encapsulated cell device for the passive immunization against Aβ focused on the early clearing of the Aβ. Measuring small changes of Aβ accumulation is a further challenge within the project. At the moment, x-ray differential phase contrast is the only way to measure Aβ at high resolution (5-20 μm) in 3D with high sensitivity. Using the grating interferometer setup developed and available at the TOMCAT beamline it is possible to investigate and disclose the proposed therapy efficacy.
In this contribution the capability of the TOMCAT beamline together with the project status and the first results will be presented.
Primary author
Dr
Alberto Astolfo
(PSI)
Co-authors
Mr
Aurélien Lathuilière
(EPFL)
Dr
Bernard Schneider
(EPFL)
Dr
Bernd Pinzer
(Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI), 5232, Villigen-PSI)
Marco Stampanoni
(Paul Scherrer Institut)
