SEQSTER and Boston University collaborate on Alzheimer's early detection tool

SEQSTER, a company specialising in patient-centric healthcare technology, has announced a collaboration with researchers from Boston University to enhance early-stage clinical screening for Alzheimer's disease. 

The partnership was unveiled at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The project, led by Dr. Rhoda Au, Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, aims to develop a clinical screening tool for Alzheimer's. 

The study will use SEQSTER’s 1-Click Records to gather comprehensive health data and is funded by the Melvin R. Goodes Prize from the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF).

“Early intervention is crucial in managing Alzheimer's, and this project holds promise in identifying individuals at the earliest stages,” stated Dr. Au. “We chose to use SEQSTER's 1-Click Records because of its instant data connectivity with electronic health records. This tool allows us to aggregate a patient’s longitudinal health data, empowering participants to control what medical information they contribute while accelerating scientific progress.”

Integration and Benefits

SEQSTER’s 1-Click Records technology simplifies health data collection from various sources, unifying electronic health records (EHR) into a single platform. The integration encourages broader participation by allowing patients to opt in and share their health data, thus enhancing the breadth and depth of research data.

Dr. Au’s team will combine participants' current and historical health data with blood-based biomarkers and digital cognitive assessments to develop an AI-powered screening tool capable of identifying early signs of Alzheimer’s or determining patients' risk levels.

Howard Fillit, MD, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of the ADDF, highlighted the potential impact: “We know that Alzheimer’s pathology appears at least 20 years before symptoms present, and we don’t yet have the biomarkers or diagnostic tools to identify these changes in real-time.

“Dr. Au is a pioneer in the development of digital biomarkers and screening tools, and we hope her research will enable early diagnosis and intervention for Alzheimer’s, which researchers believe could have a profound impact on the progression of the disease.”

The project is supported by a $150,000 grant from the Melvin R. Goodes Prize, established by former Warner-Lambert CEO Melvin R. Goodes and his family in collaboration with the ADDF. Dr. Rhoda Au received this honour in 2023, and this prize funds her current research.

Ardy Arianpour, CEO & Co-Founder of SEQSTER, expressed his commitment:

“This collaboration is another demonstration of our commitment to impact Alzheimer’s Disease while supporting individuals and their caregivers. As people may know, this is very personal for me as Alzheimer’s Disease struck both my maternal and paternal grandmothers and I will stop at nothing to fight to find a cure.

“By combining SEQSTER's 1-Click Records with Boston University's innovative research approach, I envision a future where this collaboration transforms the landscape of Alzheimer's screening, providing individuals and families with an accessible and efficient tool for early detection.”