Differentiating Frontotemporal Dementia Through Metabolomics
Researchers have investigated the plasma metabolite profile of patients with frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer’s disease using an untargeted metabolomic approach in combination with GC–MS.
Researchers have investigated the plasma metabolite profile of patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) using an untargeted metabolomic approach in combination with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) (1).
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive impairment in behaviour, executive function, and language. It is one of the most common causes of neurocognitive disorder in people under 65 years old with around 10 in every 100,000 persons likely to be afflicted. The most common form of FTD is a behavioural variant (bvFTD), which is clinically different to atypical AD cases and which it can sometimes be mistaken for. Generally, survival is shorter and cognitive decline is faster than with typical AD cases. Therefore, a differential diagnosis between bvFTD and atypical AD cases is crucial.
Currently, to differentiate between bvFTD and AD cases requires an evaluation of cognition and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers as well as a neuroimaging investigation and genetic mutations screening; however, an accurate diagnosis still poses a clinical challenge in specific cases. Furthermore, the collection of CSF requires an invasive lumbar puncture procedure, access to molecular neuroimaging methods can be restricted, and no blood biomarkers have been identified.
An alternative to diagnosis through these methods could come with the investigation of metabolites by Tsuruoka et al. (2), who identified six serum metabolites that were significantly increased in patients with dementia as well as 45 additional metabolites identified as candidate markers that could discriminate patients with dementia from cognitively healthy controls. As such, researchers aimed to investigate the plasma metabolite profile of patients with bvFTD compared to AD patients and cognitively healthy individuals using an untargeted metabolomic approach, with hopes to identify biological mechanisms and possible biomarkers for bvFTD diagnosis.
Results found a reduction in the levels of palmitoleic, oleic, and lauric acids in the bvFTD group compared to the AD group, however, no significance after multiple comparison correction was observed. Reduced levels of creatinine, glycine, tryptophan, uric acid, hypoxanthine, serine, valine, threonine, isoleucine, homoserine,methionine, glutamic acid, capric acid, tartronic acid, fumaric acid, and myoinositol, metabolites related to glycine/serine/threonine, alanine/aspartate/glutamate pathways and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, were also found in the bvFTD group when compared to controls. This led researchers to theorize that bvFTD patients may present an impairment of amino acid metabolism and the translation process.
Researchers hope this study can encourage further and more robust studies to fully explore the possibility of biomarkers for the diagnosis of this dementia form.—L.B.
References
- A.L.M. Santos, J.G. Vitório, M.J.N. de Paiva et al., J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 189, 113424 (2020).
- M. Tsuruoka et al., Electrophoresis 1, 2865–2872 (2013).
New Study Uses MSPE with GC–MS to Analyze PFCAs in Water
January 20th 2025Scientists from the China University of Sciences combined magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to analyze perfluoro carboxylic acids (PFCAs) in different water environments.
The Next Frontier for Mass Spectrometry: Maximizing Ion Utilization
January 20th 2025In this podcast, Daniel DeBord, CTO of MOBILion Systems, describes a new high resolution mass spectrometry approach that promises to increase speed and sensitivity in omics applications. MOBILion recently introduced the PAMAF mode of operation, which stands for parallel accumulation with mobility aligned fragmentation. It substantially increases the fraction of ion used for mass spectrometry analysis by replacing the functionality of the quadrupole with high resolution ion mobility. Listen to learn more about this exciting new development.
A Guide To Finding the Ideal Syringe and Needle
January 20th 2025Hamilton has produced a series of reference guides to assist science professionals in finding the best-suited products and configurations for their applications. The Syringe and Needle Reference Guide provides detailed information on Hamilton Company’s full portfolio of syringes and needles. Everything from cleaning and preventative maintenance to individual part numbers are available for review. It also includes selection charts to help you choose between syringe terminations like cemented needles and luer tips.
The Complexity of Oligonucleotide Separations
January 9th 2025Peter Pellegrinelli, Applications Specialist at Advanced Materials Technology (AMT) explains the complexity of oligonucleotide separations due to the unique chemical properties of these molecules. Issues such as varying length, sequence complexity, and hydrophilic-hydrophobic characteristics make efficient separations difficult. Separation scientists are addressing these challenges by modifying mobile phase compositions, using varying ion-pairing reagents, and exploring alternative separation modes like HILIC and ion-exchange chromatography. Due to these complexities, AMT has introduced the HALO® OLIGO column, which offers high-resolution, fast separations through its innovative Fused-Core® technology and high pH stability. Alongside explaining the new column, Peter looks to the future of these separations and what is next to come.
Oasis or Sand Dune? Isolation of Psychedelic Compounds
January 20th 2025Magic mushrooms, once taboo, have recently experienced a renaissance. This new awakening is partially due to new findings that indicate the effects of psilocybin, and its dephosphorylated cousin psilocin may produce long lasting results for patients who might be struggling with anxiety, depression, alcohol and drug abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Hamilton Company has developed a methodology for the isolation and identification of 5 common psychedelic compounds used in the potential treatment of disease. The PRP-1 HPLC column resin remains stable in the harsh alkaline conditions ideal for better separations.
