New Multiplex Assays Provide Insight Into Neurological Disorders

EMD Millipore, the Life Science division of Merck KGaA* of Germany, introduces new multiplex assay kits that can provide greater insight into the biochemical changes associated with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological disorders.

The three new MILLIPLEX® MAP kits are validated, multiplexed immunoassays for measuring 21 biomarkers, including amyloid beta 1-40 and 1-42, serum amyloid P (SAP), total and phospho-Tau (Thr231), PARK7, and alpha synuclein. Levels of these biomarkers may be predictive of the formation of aggregates that interfere with nervous system functions, resulting in cognitive decline, motor dysfunction, and other symptoms.

Compared to common biomarker detection techniques, the new kits increase assay throughput and specificity. Based on Luminex technology, the kits enable fast, sensitive, simultaneous quantification of multiple biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), serum, or plasma.

"Levels of multiple biomarkers measured in the same sample describe the subject's neurological state more accurately than single biomarkers," said Dr. Jens Pahnke, Professor at University of Rostock and member of the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE). "Multiplex assays can provide the specificity we need for distinguishing Alzheimer's disease from related neurological disorders, especially in early stages of disease."

Four million people suffer from Alzheimer's disease in the U.S. alone, and Parkinson's disease is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, affecting 4% of individuals over the age of 80.1 Statistics like these underscore the need for a better understanding of neurological mechanisms. To facilitate this research, EMD Millipore has built the industry's largest portfolio of multiplexed neuroscience assays for the Luminex platform.

The new kits will become commercially available during November, 2010, with all kits planned to be launched by the end of the month.

*Merck KGaA or Merck shall mean Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.