Researchers built a soft nasal swab that collects nerve cells lining the nose, then measures proteins in single cells. In a proof-of-concept study, the test detected phosphorylated tau — a hallmark Alzheimer's protein — more accurately than existing blood-based tests.
The living brain can't be biopsied, so doctors lack direct cell-level signals for brain diseases. A quick, non-invasive nose swab that reads individual nerve cells could make Alzheimer's diagnosis more accurate than a blood draw — and open the same window onto other brain disorders.
✦ The nose may offer a clearer window into the brain than blood.