Eye-applied tracer to detect TDP-43 in ALS, LATE, and FTD retinas
Development of a topical tracer to detect TDP43 in ALS, LATE and FTD retinas for AI-powered disease insights
['FUNDING_SBIR_2'] · AMYDIS DIAGNOSTICS, INC. · NIH-11185387
A topical eye tracer combined with AI is being developed to find TDP‑43 protein in the retinas of people with ALS, FTD, or LATE to help with earlier diagnosis.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_SBIR_2'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | AMYDIS DIAGNOSTICS, INC. (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (La Jolla, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11185387 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would have a topical tracer placed on the surface of your eye and then undergo retinal imaging. The images would be analyzed by AI to look for TDP‑43, a protein linked to ALS, frontotemporal dementia, and LATE. Because the retina is part of the central nervous system, finding TDP‑43 there could offer a non‑invasive way to detect disease-related changes. The project is testing whether the tracer lights up TDP‑43 and whether AI can reliably read those signals to distinguish disease types.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with suspected or diagnosed ALS, frontotemporal dementia, LATE, or unexplained cognitive decline where TDP‑43 involvement is suspected would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People whose symptoms are driven by other pathologies (for example Alzheimer's without TDP‑43), or those with eye conditions that prevent retinal imaging, may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a non-invasive, earlier test to identify TDP‑43-related disease and help guide treatment choices or clinical trial matching.
How similar studies have performed: Retinal imaging and AI have shown promise for detecting other brain diseases, but using a topical tracer to detect TDP‑43 in humans is novel and unproven.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, UNITED STATES
- AMYDIS DIAGNOSTICS, INC. — La Jolla, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SARRAF, STELLA — AMYDIS DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
- Study coordinator: SARRAF, STELLA
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia