Non-invasive biomarkers that enable the widespread screening and early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: The Biomarkers Neuro-Disease Mechanism Lab (BNML) is led by Alfred Fonteh, PhD, who has investigated biomarkers and mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease for 21 years. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. According to recent statistics from the Alzheimer’s Association, 6.7 million people aged 60 or older are living with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States. Dr. Fonteh was inspired by family members and friends who have suffered from AD without any medical help and is dedicated to discovering potential biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease in the early stages of pathology. Dr. Fonteh is also interested in investigating AD causes for pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies and preventive options.

There is an incipient and silent (preclinical) stage of Alzheimer’s disease before the emergence of cognitive symptoms of either Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or dementia. More research is needed to understand if this preclinical stage is a valid representation of people who may go on to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Fonteh’s lab is well-focused on the establishment of a conclusive connection between biomarkers and the preclinical stage of Alzheimer’s disease. With advancements in early detection, there is potential for patients to learn about their risk for AD before clinical symptoms appear and receive early treatment.

Dr. Fonteh has mentored numerous young scientists with similar research interests over the course of his career. One of his current mentees is Joby Jose, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the BNML lab who focuses on experiments for biomarkers. Together, Dr. Fonteh and Dr. Jose work closely with the Clinical Brain Aging Group and the Analytical Biochemistry Core (ABC), which manage clinical recruitment and classification and maintain sophisticated laboratory equipment, respectively.

The primary focus of research in BNML is on non-invasive biomarkers that enable the widespread screening and early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. The laboratory has successfully studied the correlation between energy-related and oxidatively derived short-chain and medium-chain lipids in cognitively healthy (CH), Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) subjects. We are currently investigating the fluctuations of brain-derived lipids in subjects at various stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Other significant studies in our laboratory include the correlation between bioenergetics and mitochondrial dysfunction and disturbances in the neuromodulator pathways associated with Alzheimer’s disease.