Professor at the São Leopoldo Mandic Araras Medical School creates a test that can identify a tendency towards Alzheimer's disease through saliva – Mandic Faculty: Undergraduate and Postgraduate Studies in Dentistry and Medicine

Professor at the São Leopoldo Mandic Araras Medical School has created a test that can identify a predisposition to Alzheimer's disease through saliva

Tests performed using saliva samples can detect the possibility of the degenerative disease up to 20 years before the first symptoms appear.

With a post-doctoral degree in Biological Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP), Professor Gustavo Alves, from the undergraduate Medicine program at São Leopoldo Mandic, developed a revolutionary method that uses biomarker analysis, such as the p-TAU protein, to identify Alzheimer's disease.

The p-TAU protein is primarily found in neurons, helping to stabilize microtubules, structures that act as transport pathways within the cell. Elevated levels are associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

The interest in the topic arose from a series of experiences conducted by Dr. Gustavo Alves, who worked with elderly patients with dementia in 2006. The idea of working on diagnosing the disease using saliva samples came about in 2012, due to the practicality of sample collection.

The idea is that this test, requested by a doctor, will help to make a more accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. With early diagnosis, it is possible to slow its progression through small changes in lifestyle and daily habits.

“Alzheimer's goes through a series of 'asymptomatic' phases before becoming dementia. So, by enabling early identification, it's a chance to start treatment before the person begins to show memory loss, hearing loss, all that stuff we know about,” said Dr. Gustavo Alves about the importance of the study.

Currently, according to information he provided, the test results are available within 24 hours of sample collection, but it is expected that, based on the final design of the test kit, this time will be reduced to 5 minutes.

"For science, this is a major breakthrough. But, beyond that, economically it would also be more accessible to everyone," the doctor added.

In addition to this research, Dr. Gustavo is also involved in another study related to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in patients already diagnosed, based on a compound made from jaboticaba peel.