AXA-Sorbonne Université Chair on Alzheimer’s disease

Voicing Out the Silent Markers of Alzheimer’s

Being the most frequent neurodegenerative disease in the world, over 35,6 million people are currently affected by Alzheimer’s, a figure that we expect to double in the next few years. Successfully preventing this disease and related neurodegenerative diseases is therefore becoming a major scientific, medical and socio-economic challenge of our time. That why the Axa-Sorbonne Université Chair on Alzheimer’s disease endeavour to develop and strengthen research on biomarkers. The latter are specific markers present in cerebrospinal fluid and in blood. The analysis and early detection of which could help delay cognitive decline and provide better care for patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

At the end of the year 2022, a visiting professor program has been establish with the Pr. Kaj Blennow, a renowned neurologist and biochemist, bringing a new dynamic to the project. Being one of the first worldwide expert in this field, Pr Kaj Blennow is behind the development of Alzheimer’s disease marker assays, which is a major advance in recent years in the fight against this disease. He has founded a school in Suede with an international reputation and is now dedicated to develop a world-class centre of expertise on biomarkers in Paris, benefiting from the excellence of Sorbonne Université, the Salpêtrière Hospital campus, the ICM and the CEA. 

The beginning of 2023 saw the launch of new research tests about these specific markers. Research teams aim to refine detection and analysis of blood biomarkers. To do so, they were able to acquire state-of-the-art equipment, the SIMOA HD-X-Analyser, which can speed up the process and allow an astute analysis of biomarkers in blood, as much as in cerebrospinal fluid, even though concentrations are much lower. Therefore, a simple blood sample then would lead to an early detection of Alzheimer’s disease, even in its ten-year-long silent and asymptomatic stage. This early analysis offers the hope of better care of patients, better monitoring of the effectiveness of proposed treatments and more efficient stimulation. If researchers succeed in delaying Alzheimer’s by five years, this would halve the number of people suffering from the disease.

The Axa-Sorbonne Université Chair on Alzheimer’s should help reinforce the sector in France and position the dedicated research teams in European and global competition, while continuing to strengthen the team with new talent and recognized experts.

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