PhD Student Jack Jones

Jack's project is looking at:

Identifying new vascular biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease

Diagnosis relies on cognitive assessment that is not always accurate without expensive scans, and sometimes the measurement of spinal fluid, an uncomfortable process for patients. A non-invasive, simple blood test is the best way to detect Alzheimer’s disease early.

Tell us about your project

Biomarkers are biological ‘red flags’ for diseases that can be tracked and measured and are usually present in tiny amounts in the blood. The analysis of these biomarkers is hindered by the presence of large blood protein.

We can collect these biomarkers using small particles, called nanoparticles, like a special fishing net which the blood biomarkers stick to. The sample can then be analysed without the large blood proteins in the way to determine what these biomarkers are, and how the levels of these biomarkers change over time. 

This will allow us to see if they are easily measured and if they accurately track the disease, even in the early stages before people begin to experience memory problems. 

To see if our analysis of blood is reliable, we will compare the results with what we see in brain samples from mice and humans to better understand the disease. This work will also help us differentiate Alzheimer’s disease from other dementias, such as vascular dementia. 

What does it mean to you to be a part of Alzheimer's Society Doctoral Training Centre?

Being a part of an Alzheimer’s Society Doctoral Training Centre provides a unique collaborative opportunity that is unmatched by independent PhDs programmes and promotes a more direct connection to patients and people with lived experience, the main motivation for the research we do.