A Window to the Brain
Examining Alzheimer's DIsease Neuropathology Using Olfactory Tissues
The Olfactory Mucosa: The olfactory mucosa is located at the superior wall of the nasal cavity. The olfactory mucosa contains olfactory receptor neurons, which send odor-evoked signals to the olfactory bulb. Projection neurons in olfactory bulb innervate higher order brain regions including the entorhinal cortex (not shown here).
About
The pressing issue facing translational research in Alzheimer's Disease is to understand the early changes in brain function leading to dementia, both for developing early biomarkers and developing new therapeutic approaches targeted at the prodromal stage. A promising yet overlooked candidate is the sensory organ of the olfactory system, the olfactory mucosa residing in the nasal cavity. The olfactory mucosa is 1) connected to the central nervous system and 2) can be sampled with minimally-invasive techniques from the periphery – thus offering a unique window to the brain. Furthermore, the olfactory system is compromised in the early stage of Alzheimer's Disease, based on both clinical observations of smell function and neuropathological exams of the olfactory pathways. With these unique characteristics, the olfactory mucosa holds great potential as an early diagnostic marker and as an in-vitro model for elucidating early pathogenesis in Alzheimer's Disease.
Study Aims
Early detection is vital to the success of clinical trials and preventive programs in Alzheimer's Disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Our first outcome is to establish a low-cost, minimally-invasive test (nasal exfoliation) that can detect Alzheimer's Disease pathology at the early, prodromal stage. The outcomes of this project will provide essential knowledge and establish a platform for future intervention programs.