Breakthrough Imaging Technology at UMF Craiova Yields Unprecedented Detail in Alzheimer’s Research
Craiova, Romania – Researchers have achieved a significant advancement in Alzheimer’s disease research through the submission of a unique super-resolution microscopy technology developed at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova (UMF Craiova). The technology allows for observation of tissue changes at a microscopic level, surpassing the limitations of conventional light microscopy, and has enabled detailed analysis of amyloid plaques – a hallmark of Alzheimer’s – and their relationship to blood vessels in the brain.
Alzheimer’s disease affects millions worldwide, with numbers projected to rise dramatically as populations age.Current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches face significant challenges due to the complexity of the disease and limitations in visualizing the underlying pathology. This new imaging capability, spearheaded by a collaborative team from Craiova, Cluj, and Belgium, promises to accelerate understanding of Alzheimer’s progression and perhaps identify new targets for treatment. The research, coordinated by Dr. Daniel Pirici and dr. bogdan Cătălin, is detailed in a recently published article in Alzheimer’s & Dementia (DOI: 10.1002/alz.70164).
The study involved full-brain scans of analyzed animals, generating image files ranging from 2-5GB in size. Researchers were able to precisely count amyloid plaques, analyze their shape and density, identify blood vessels, and measure the distances between plaques and nearby vasculature. this level of detail was made possible by the UMF Craiova’s proprietary super-resolution technology, which overcomes the physical barriers imposed by the diffraction limit of light.Dr. Marina Daniela Mănescu’s doctoral thesis forms the core of this research. The team’s findings contribute to a growing body of evidence suggesting a critical link between amyloid plaque distribution and vascular health in the growth of Alzheimer’s disease. Further research is underway to translate these findings into improved diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies.
