Hair Analysis Shows Promise as a Non-Invasive Biomarker for ALS Diagnosis
A new study published in the September issue of eBioMedicine, part of The Lancet Discovery Science, suggests a simple hair analysis could significantly accelerate the diagnosis of amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease. Currently, diagnosis can take between 10 and 16 months from the onset of initial symptoms.
Researchers at mount Sinai analyzed hair samples from 391 individuals – 295 diagnosed with ALS and 96 healthy controls – utilizing advanced techniques including inductive plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and laser ablation. These methods allowed for the detailed assessment of chemical element composition within the hair, generating up to 800 data points per strand, reflecting elemental variations over a 2-4 hour period. Seventeen elements were measured, including copper, zinc, magnesium, and lead.
The study revealed notable differences in the elemental profiles between ALS patients and healthy individuals,particularly concerning copper. Individuals with ALS exhibited irregular fluctuations and imbalances in copper levels, indicating a systemic disruption of copper metabolism. Further analysis showed weaker interactions between copper and zinc in men with ALS, and alterations in chromium dynamics in women with the disease.
“Our study shows that hair can provide an image of the balance of chemical elements in the body,” explained Manish Arora, professor at ICAHN School of Medicine and lead author of the study. “By analyzing their dynamics, for example copper, we can identify disorders associated with SLA in a simple and non-invasive way.”
This research represents the first to utilize hair analysis to identify chemical element imbalances linked to a disease state. While a ready-to-use diagnostic test is not yet available,the findings suggest hair analysis could offer a faster and more accessible diagnostic pathway for ALS,possibly enabling earlier access to supportive treatments and improving patient quality of life and survival.The study was a collaborative effort involving Linus Biotechnology, Dartmouth University, and Columbia University, and was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States.
