The early detection of diseases that affect the brain, such as cancer or neurological disordersit’s a challenge. If you want to study the molecular changes in detail in a patient, the Current techniques can alter cells or cause damage. This makes them not ideal for obtaining accurate results.
A group of scientists working at institutions of Spain, Italy and France have managed to develop a “molecular flashlight“, which could help overcome the difficulties What is there for the study of the brain?.
The flashlight consists of a ultra-thin probe that introduces light into the brain. It was tested on mice and the results of that experimentation were published in the journal Nature Methods.
The researchers belong to the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) and the National Cancer Research Center (CNIO) in Spainalready University of Salentoin Italy, among others.
In dialogue with Infobaefrom Spain, Manuel Valienteleader of the CNIO Brain Metastasis Group, clarified that the innovation is not yet ready to be used in patients. But the study carried out is “an important step, since live experimentation with animals was carried out.”
“In recent years, an invasive technique has been used in patients requiring neurosurgery. But the molecular lantern involves only the introduction of a tiny fiber. The next step will be to do a proof of concept with patients,” he mentioned.
If it demonstrates high sensitivity, the benefits of the molecular lantern would be:
- Non-invasive study. It would allow the brain to be analyzed without the need to operate or genetically modify the cells, which reduces the risk of damaging the tissue.
- Early detection. It would help detect brain tumors, injuries or neurological diseases more accurately and earlier, which could lead to more effective treatments.
- Greater precision. By more accurately identifying molecular changes in the brain, faster and more accurate diagnoses could be made, even differentiating between different types of tumors or lesions.
It is a vibrational spectroscopy tool that was designed to illuminate the nervous tissue of the brain and reveal its chemical composition. It measures less than 1 millimeter thick, with a tip of just 1 micron (thousandth of a millimeter). It is possible to introduce it into deep areas of the brain without causing damage.
The operation of the flashlight is based on the so-called “Raman effect”. When light hits molecules, it bounces in different ways depending on their composition and chemical structure. This allows detecting a different signal or spectrum in each case.
The Raman spectroscopy It is already used in neurosurgery, although in an invasive and less precise way: “Studies have been carried out on its use when operating on brain tumors in patients,” said Valiente. In the operating room, once the bulk of the tumor has been removed with surgery, it is possible to introduce a Raman spectroscopy probe to evaluate if there are any cancer cells left in the area.”
That is to say, he clarified, today it is only used when the brain is already open and the hole is large enough. But “those relatively large molecular flashlights are incompatible with minimally invasive use for live animal models.”
It could detect molecular changes associated with brain tumors, both primary and metastatic, and brain injuries such as trauma. It would also make it possible to identify specific vibrational profiles in brain regions linked to epilepsy or traumatic injuries.
Using artificial intelligence algorithms, the tool could help separate different pathological entities according to the molecular alterations identified.
Menéndez de la Prida pointed out: “We have been able to identify different vibrational profiles in the same brain regions susceptible to generating epileptic seizures, depending on their association with a tumor or trauma. “This suggests that the molecular shadows of these areas are affected differently.”
For its massive application in patients, it is necessary to carry out clinical trials to ensure its effectiveness and safety in human brains, as well as the approval of regulations that authorize its medical use.
Valiente commented: “This technology allows us to study the brain in its natural state, it is not necessary to alter it previously. But it also makes it possible to analyze any type of brain structure, not just those that you have genetically marked or altered.” Furthermore, the scientist told Infobae that the flashlight could be used not only in the brain, but to detect diseases of other organs and tissues.
The development is part of a research project called “NanoBRIGHT”, which is financed with public funds by the Horizon 2020 research and innovation program of the European Union.
