Novel Nasal Biomarkers in Neurodegenerative Disease v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Novel Nasal Biomarkers in Neurodegenerative Disease
IRAS ID
350735
Contact name
Daniel Michalik
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Almost one million people are estimated to be living with dementia in the United Kingdom. This condition is now the UK’s leading cause of death and has a significant impact on the affected, their family and society. There is evidence that changes in the brain leading to dementia start decades before the development of symptoms. By the time symptoms are evident, current medications may only have a limited benefit. Current testing includes memory and cognitive testing, the analysis of proteins in fluid from around the brain (called cerebrospinal fluid, which is accessed through a needle into the lower spine) or by detailed scans of the brain. These can be time-consuming, non-specific, invasive, and expensive. There is an urgent and unmet need for accessible and cost-effective testing to identify changes leading to dementia. This may allow treatment at an earlier stage where the benefit may be greater.
Research studies in animals and humans have demonstrated a link between the nose and the brain. This link may allow the measurement of brain-related proteins in the nose for the diagnosis and monitoring of dementia. Our research has already identified proteins related to dementia in the lining of the inside of the nose.
Using a nasal biopsy technique, we can measure dementia-related proteins in the nose. Our team will recruit 20 people with mild or early dementia into a research study. Using local anaesthetic, participants will have a small sample of tissue taken from inside the nose. These results will be compared to those in healthy patients who have provided nasal tissue in a separate study.
Our research will lay the foundation for a nasal test for the diagnosis and monitoring of dementia.REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0417
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jul 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion