Cedars-sinai Medical Center

Yeda Research and Develpment & Co. Ltd

Yosef Koronyo

Keith L Black

Maya Koronyo

Daniel L Farkas

Michal Schwartz

Altanchimeg Rentsendorj

Haoshen Shi

The present invention describes a method for the detection, diagnosis and monitoring of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. The method involves the detection of pericyte loss and deficiency in PDGFRβ, alone or in combination with retinal vascular Aβ deposits. The method also involves detecting an alteration in blood-retinal barrier (BRB) cell tight junction.

Method of detecting cognitive impairment

The present invention describes a method of treating, preventing, reducing the likelihood of or alleviating a symptom of Alzheimer's disease and associated conditions by increasing OPN expression. The invention further provides for a method of improving cognitive function in a subject in need thereof.

Methods of treating or preventing alzheimer's disease and associated conditions

Disclosed herein is a rodent and human behavioral test for evaluating visual dysfunctions associated with the retinal changes in Alzheimer disease progression. In one example, the inventors developed a maze that tests rodent's ability to identify (1) specific contrasts, (2) specific colors, (3) certain items in the visual field, and (4) other 'non-typical' peripheral and night vision functions associated with AD. For instance, the inventors developed a maze the tests the rodents ability to avoid certain colors or contrasts gradients. The maze may include certain rooms with specific visual markers (e.g., colors, contrasts, objects or other visual features) that also contain shock plates.

Visual stimuli maze test for detecting visual abnormalities in prodromal Alzheimer's disease and in Alzheimer's disease

The present subject matter relates to a non-invasive optical imaging method for monitoring early pathological events specific to Alzheimer's disease (AD), such as the development, amount and location of amyloid plaques. The ability to monitor such events provides a basis for, among other things, AD diagnosis, prognosis and assessment of potential therapies. In addition, the present subject matter introduces novel methods for treating AD and retinal ailments associated with AD. A&#x3b2;-plaque detection in living brains is extremely limited, especially at high resolution; therefore the present invention is based on studies focusing on the eyes as an alternative to brain-derived tissue that can be imaged directly, repetitively and non-invasively.

Growing community of inventors

Los Angeles, CA, United States of America

Yosef Koronyo