Saliva and Extracellular Vesicles for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Launched by FONDAZIONE DON CARLO GNOCCHI ONLUS · Mar 5, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on finding new ways to diagnose neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer's disease earlier and more accurately. Researchers are testing a quick and cost-effective method that uses a technique called Raman spectroscopy to analyze saliva and tiny particles from saliva called extracellular vesicles. By studying these samples, they hope to identify specific markers that can help distinguish between different types of NDDs and track how these diseases progress over time.

If you're considering participating in this trial, you may be eligible if you have a confirmed diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or related conditions, and you're in a stable medical state. Participants will provide saliva samples and undergo tests that aim to improve understanding of how these diseases affect the body. It’s important to note that individuals with certain other health conditions or those unable to give consent will not be included in the study. This trial is currently looking for volunteers and aims to make a meaningful impact on early diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • AD: standard criteria for dementia due to AD with AD neurochemical demonstration.
• • PD: MDS Criteria; modified Hoehn\&Yahr stages; stable pharmacological treatment (last 4 weeks).
• • AtP: current consensus diagnostic criteria for progressive supranuclear palsy; corticobasal degeneration and multiple system atrophy.
• • prodromic PD: according to diagnostic criteria by Berg;
• • MCI: according to diagnostic criteria by Dubois and Albert.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • For all the experimental groups considered, subjects with concomitant chronic and / or inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity, other systemic diseases, oncological or infectious diseases will be excluded.
• • Patients not able to provide written informed consent autonomously will be excluded.
• • For PD patients: Vascular, familiar and drug- induced parkinsonism, other known or suspected causes (metabolic, brain tumor etc) or any suggestive features of AtP; dementia with MoCA Test Correct Score\<15