According to a study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, cognitive decline and the deposition of harmful proteins in the brain linked to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) may be related to the practice of repetitive negative thinking (RNT). RNT, also called perseverative thinking, consists of rumination on the past and worry about the future. The term RNT …
Research Breakthrough: Antibodies for the Quantification of Amyloid Beta Oligomers in Alzheimer’s Disease
Researchers have designed an antibody that can identify toxic particles that destroy healthy brain cells. A collaboration of scientists from the University of Cambridge, University College London, and Lund University published their findings in an article titled “Rational design of a conformation-specific antibody for the quantification of amyloid beta oligomers” in Proceedings of the National …
Proteomic Analysis Studies in Alzheimer’s Disease and Cerebral Atherosclerosis Research
RNA sequencing studies of thousands of post mortem human brain samples have generated massive datasets for use in medical research. These studies implicate many different biological functions in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) — but how do these findings translate to proteins, the most important building blocks in the brain? Two studies from scientists at Emory University …
FDA Guidance Documents for COVID-19
COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. As the novel coronavirus continues to dominate headlines and impact communities around the globe, many life-sciences and pharmaceutical companies are working hard to develop tests, treatments, and vaccines to combat the virus. To help steer these companies in the right direction, the United States Food …
Protein Shapes in Alzheimer’s Disease Research
Proteins — large molecules made up of amino acids — do most of the work in cells and are required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body’s tissues and organs. A confluence of circumstances leads the proteins to twist, unfold, and refold the way they are meant to for regular functioning — but …
Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease Through exRNA Biomarkers
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disease, is estimated to affect around 50 million people worldwide. AD is most prevalent in North America and Western Europe, and it is the top cause of disabilities in people 65 and older in the United States. Identifying early warning signs has proved elusive, although researchers are working hard …
Can Llama Antibodies Help Fight SARS-CoV-2?
Winter is a llama who lives on a farm in Ghent, Belgium — and she may be a vital figure in the fight against the novel coronavirus. Llamas have long been used for antibody research, and they have been integral in identifying potential therapies for viruses such as HIV and influenza. There is nothing particularly …
Racing Against the Clock: Developing Monoclonal Antibodies During a Pandemic
Between the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the SARS, H1N1 and HIV/AIDS epidemics all taking place within the last 50 years, major infectious disease outbreaks are occurring more frequently. To contain these outbreaks more quickly, it is necessary to develop new approaches that enable the quickest possible evaluation of antibodies for passive immunization or treatment. A …
Novel Coronavirus Testing: Part IV
Saliva Testing Accurate, rapid testing for the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is crucial to controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. In previous installments of this blog series, we covered the real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) test, the serology test, and the antigen test for the novel coronavirus. The rRT-PCR assay sample is gathered by nasal swab, …
QPS Neuropharmacology and Paracelsus Medical University (PMU) Announce Cooperation on a Parkinson’s Disease Research and Development Project
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, and the Parkinson’s Foundation estimates that 1.2 million people in the United States will suffer from this chronic, progressive condition by 2030. Although a cure does not currently exist, new therapies have the potential to meaningfully impact the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease. QPS …
