MEMoRiEx: Device for Molecular Evaluation and Monitoring of Risk of Alzheimer’s disease based on EXosome
Este proyecto se basa en el diseño de test de diagnóstico rápido mediante la detección de EVs, para facilitar el acceso a los cribados de pacientes con EA en los contextos sociodemográficos más desfavorecidos, así como centros de atención primaria y hospitales.
Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona will take part in MEMoRiEx, a public–private collaboration project funded with €708,565.76 under the 2024–2027 State Research Plan. The initiative brings together scientific, clinical, and technological entities.
The MEMoRiEx project aims primarily to develop a rapid, portable test capable of detecting early signs of Alzheimer’s disease from a blood sample. This breakthrough would enable screening in many more settings, from primary care centers to hospitals, as well as in resource-limited contexts.
This approach represents a significant shift from the current situation. Today, the most accurate tests for diagnosing Alzheimer’s, such as PET scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or cerebrospinal fluid analysis, are costly, invasive, and not always accessible. As a result, many people receive their diagnosis too late. MEMoRiEx aims to break this barrier and offer a rapid, affordable, and easy-to-use tool, without compromising scientific rigor.
Ace has a strong track record in developing diagnostic tools based on blood samples. A recent example is the DROP-AD project, which focuses on the use of blood biomarkers to improve the detection and monitoring of Alzheimer’s disease.
How the test will work
The proposed technology combines two elements: a single-use cartridge and a portable reader. Using a small blood sample, the system will analyze biological signals associated with Alzheimer’s risk, making it possible to identify individuals in the very early stages of the disease, when interventions are more effective and clinical decision-making is clearer.
An impact with transformative potential
A test with these characteristics could have a global impact. In countries with fewer resources, it would help expand access to diagnosis for people who currently cannot access specialized tests. In advanced healthcare systems, it would streamline processes, reduce costs, and improve patient monitoring.
According to Amanda Cano, project lead at Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona: “Early detection is our best ally in changing the course of the disease. With MEMoRiEx, we are taking a decisive step toward a more accessible and equitable model, where a simple blood sample can provide key information in places where the most advanced technologies do not yet reach.”
In addition, the project’s results will provide highly valuable information for healthcare professionals, public policy decision-makers, and patient associations, contributing to improved detection and monitoring of Alzheimer’s disease on a global scale.
