Science researchers at the University of Georgia, the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta and the Georgia Regents University have discovered a direct relationship between Alzheimer’s disease symptoms and two specific antibodies. The discovery may lead to a much-anticipated diagnostic blood test for the disease. The research team published their findings in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences and found that as two specific proteins’ concentration increases, dementia also increases.
“We found a strong and consistent relationship between two particular antibodies and the level of impairment,” said study co-author L. Stephen Miller. “The finding brings us closer to our ultimate goal of developing a blood test that can diagnose Alzheimer’s disease or potentially identify if someone is at higher risk for the disease.”
According to a University of Georgia news article, researchers are optimistic about their study. However, they also say it could still take years for a diagnostic test based on their research to become available. Continuing to test the strength of the relationship between the two proteins, which are involved in the immune response, and Alzheimer’s, the researchers are working with a sample that removes other factors that may be influencing their results, such as diabetes and heart disease. Although there is still work to be done, surely their research will be used in positive ways for diagnosing and treating Alzheimer’s disease in the future.
University of Georgia
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
The University of Georgia is one of the schools on the forefront of medical research. Lab suppliers working towards marketing life science solutions and increasing lab sales leads may want to consider Georgia life science marketing events in light of the most recent NSF and NIH funding statistics. In addition to conducting innovative research of Alzheimer’s, Georgia University was reported by the NSF to have $167.7 million in total R&D expenditures in the life sciences in 2010. The NSF also awarded the University of Georgia, Athens $1.2 million in research funding in 2012.
The NIH gave the University of Georgia $39.4 million of research funding in 2012 for projects in such departments such as biochemistry, biology, biostatistics, chemistry, microbiology, pathology and pharmacology. The department receiving the most funding was microbiology, which received a total of 16 awards and $5.5 million. In 2011, the NIH also reported that the University of Georgia’s direct plus indirect costs in the life sciences, excluding R & D contracts and ARRA awards, totaled $34.2 million. For a full list of departments receiving NIH funding at the University of Georgia, please visit the NIH website.
If you are a lab supplier interested in marketing your life science solutions and increasing lab sales leads at Georgia life science marketing events, Biotechnology Calendar, Inc. invites you to network with researchers, lab managers and purchasing agents at our next annual Athens BioResearch Product Faire™ Event. Last year, the Athens BioResearch Product Faire™ Event attracted 153 visitors. Of the attendees, 30 were purchasing agents, professors and post docs, and 29 were lab managers. The visitors came from 27 different research buildings and 28 departments around campus.
Biotechnology Calendar, Inc. is a full-service science research marketing and events-planning company that has been organizing life science marketing events at top research institutions nationwide for 20 years. For more information on the Athens BioResearch Product Faire™ Event, or to get more detailed University of Georgia funding statistics, click on the button below. If you are interested in marketing your life science solutions and increasing lab sales leads at life science marketing events closer to home, we encourage you to view our 2013 calendar of events.
