Who said Indians are lagging behind? Definitely not in the field of science. First, ISRO brought in a lot of pride to the nation and now it is Krtin Nithiyanandam.
The 15-year-old Indian-origin boy in Surrey, UK, has reportedly developed a potential test for Alzheimer’s which could allow the condition to be diagnosed 10 years before the first symptoms appear. Commonly, in medical practices, Alzheimer’s can only be detected through a series of cognitive tests or by studying the brain after death.
Krtin Nithiyanandam solved a medical puzzle
Nithiyanandam, has developed a ‘trojan horse’ antibody which can penetrate into the brain and attach to neurotoxic proteins which are present in the very first stages of the disease. The antibodies, which would be injected into the bloodstream are also attached to fluorescent particles which can then be picked up on a brain scan.
Nithiyanandam has submitted his test to the Google Science Fair Prize and has successfully made it through to the final last week. The results of the scholarship will be announced next month. Nithiyanandam is hopefully awaiting for the results.
The Google Science Fair is a global online science and technology competition open to individuals and teams from ages 13 to 18
“The main benefits of my test are that it could be used to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms start to show by focusing on pathophysiological changes, some of which can occur a decade before symptoms are prevalent. This early diagnosis could help families prepare for the future and ensure that existing drugs are used to better effect. Another benefit is that due to the conjugated fluorescent nanoparticles, my diagnostic-probe can be used to image Alzheimer’s disease non-invasively,” Krtin told The Daily Telegraph.
Neurodegenerative disease like dementia are difficult to diagnose and treat because of the blood-brain barrier. Nithiyanandam antibodies can pass through the barrier. Lab tests even showed that they ‘handcuff’ the toxic proteins, stopping them from developing further which could potentially stop Alzhiemer’s in its tracks.
I chose Alzheimer’s disease because I am fascinated by neuroscience and the workings of the brain. Alzheimer’s disease kills more people each year than breast and prostate cancer combined and Alzheimer’s is also considered to be one of the greatest medical challenges of the 21st century,”said Krtin to The Daily Telegraph .
