There are many active research projects accessing and applying shared ADNI data. Use the search above to find specific research focuses on the active ADNI investigations. This information is requested annually as a requirement for data access.
| Principal Investigator | |
| Principal Investigator's Name: | Paula Sampaio |
| Institution: | Center of Medical Research - Faculty of Medicine, University do Porto |
| Department: | Biochemistry |
| Country: | |
| Proposed Analysis: | We propose a novel technology based on artificial intelligence algorithms and a patented photonics low-cost device that allows the creation of “plasma optical fingerprints” characteristics of specific phenotypes associated with clinical and biological data. The plasma/serum samples from patients/controls are subjected to a highly focused near-infrared laser beam guided through a micro-lensed optical fiber. This laser light interacts with the sample and we collect a signal pattern that is used to train the optical fingerprint that is associated with each label (‘Alzheimer patient’ versus ‘control’ in this specific case). Our preliminary results show that it is possible to identify disease fingerprints associated with specific phenotypes/biochemical profiles, in 20 seconds and with accuracy/sensitivity/specificity values 81-95% using this method. • 95% accuracy, sensitivity and specificity in detecting human extracellular vesicles associated with different gastric cancer metastatic degrees; • 81% accuracy, sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing ischemic stroke patients from controls using plasma samples – cohort of 20 subjects; • 85% accuracy, sensitivity and specificity in differentiating Alzheimer patients (confirmed through PET scan or CSF screening), subjects with Mild Cognitive Impairment and control subjects – cohort of 30 subjects; • 91% accuracy, sensitivity and specificity in differentiating between Alzheimer patients (confirmed through PET scan or CSF screening) and subjects with Mild Cognitive Impairment – cohort of 30 subjects. Thus, our aim now is to expand our library of digital fingerprints of AD biological profiles and validate our previous findings on separate cohorts. As the main aim, we define the development of a low-cost stratification tool for Alzheimer’s drug discovery, which can be used for pre-screening of patients in Alzheimer’s clinical trials. The methodology includes the following steps: (a) Sample preparation: gradual defrosting of samples at 4 °C (on ice) followed by sample homogenization (facilitated by vortex or various resuspensions). (b) Sample analysis: application of a highly focused laser beam (with wavelength close to infrared) guided by micro lenses in optical fiber to the plasma or serum samples. The light of the laser beam interacts with the sample and a retro-scattered light signal pattern is collected from the sample. (c) Retro-scattered light signal processing: analysis of the data acquired in (b) using artificial intelligence and biostatistics in order to "train" and/or test the system to identify the AD optical "fingerprint". Precision, specificity and sensitivity of iLoF tool will be assessed, both in the task of “training” (performance with which it learns what it is “taught”), or in the identification of new samples completely new to the system from subjects never “seen” by it - called blind samples - but for which the ground truth diagnosis by PET or lumbar puncture is known. |
| Additional Investigators | |
| Investigator's Name: | Joana Paiva |
| Proposed Analysis: | With his extensive knowledge in Photonics and Artificial Intelligence, Joana Paiva will coordinate and assist in all the data acquisition and data processing during the analysis with the biological samples (from control and Alzheimer's patients). |
| Investigator's Name: | Mehak Mumtaz |
| Proposed Analysis: | Dr. Mehak Mumtaz will be responsible for the communication between iLoF/FMUP and the cohort studies contact persons, she will also manage to share the information between both parties (data and results of the study). |
| Investigator's Name: | Paulo Santos |
| Proposed Analysis: | Paulo Santos is a Biomedical Engineer that will assist the biology and photonics team in the steps of sample preparation and sample analysis for data acquisition with iLoF technology. |
| Investigator's Name: | Vanessa Pinto |
| Proposed Analysis: | As a Biologist, Vanessa Pinto is responsible for the proper storage and preparation of biological samples (such as serum or plasma), a process prior to data acquisition with the iLoF platform. |
| Investigator's Name: | Vanessa Pinto |
| Proposed Analysis: | As a Biologist, Vanessa Pinto is responsible for the proper storage and preparation of biological samples (such as serum or plasma), a process prior to data acquisition with the iLoF platform. |
