DISCERN

SYNAPS Dx Announces Prestigious Scientific Advisory Board to Guide Strategy and Commercialization of DISCERN™, Only Autopsy-Validated Test for Accurate Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Key Points: 
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240117576710/en/
    • Alberto J. Espay, MD, MSc, chairman of the SAB, has over 300 published peer-reviewed research articles and 10 books on neurodegenerative diseases.
  • • Giulio Taglialatela, PhD, serves as the vice chair for research of the Department of Neurology and the director of the UTMB Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases.
  • “We are honored to partner with such exceptional thought leaders who are shaping the future of brain health and advancing the biology of memory.
  • The AD-biomarker index also composes one of the three assays and tests skin fibroblasts from biopsies to culture to confluency.

SYNAPS Dx Observes November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month: Honoring Those Impacted by Alzheimer’s

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 1, 2023

SYNAPS Dx (SDx), a privately held company focused on the research, development and commercialization of a diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is honoring November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month to support those who provide unpaid care to family members requiring medical assistance and to raise awareness for those directly impacted by AD.

Key Points: 
  • SYNAPS Dx (SDx), a privately held company focused on the research, development and commercialization of a diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is honoring November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month to support those who provide unpaid care to family members requiring medical assistance and to raise awareness for those directly impacted by AD.
  • “We appreciate the determination and commitment of those who look to serve their family and friends with the best at-home medical care they possibly can,” says SDx President and CEO, Frank Amato.
  • A minimally invasive, routine 3mm skin punch biopsy , DISCERN can be administered in the clinician’s office and is paid for by Medicare.
  • “Alzheimer’s Awareness and National Caregivers months are important occasions to recognize the burden of AD and celebrate the caregivers dedicated to looking after those affected,” continues Amato.

SYNAPS Dx Observes September as World Alzheimer’s Month and Healthy Aging Month: Celebrates Researchers, Providers and Patients

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 26, 2023

The 2023 theme ‘Never too early, never too late’ highlights the need for an early and accurate diagnosis of AD and the importance of recognizing AD risk factors.

Key Points: 
  • The 2023 theme ‘Never too early, never too late’ highlights the need for an early and accurate diagnosis of AD and the importance of recognizing AD risk factors.
  • Awareness of risk reduction strategies is crucial, especially for those who are not yet showing symptoms.
  • A minimally invasive, 3mm skin punch biopsy , DISCERN can be administered in a primary care setting.
  • DISCERN assesses factors closely related to the formation of synaptic connections in the brain as well as the formation of amyloid plaque and abnormal tau.

SYNAPS Dx Releases Autopsy-Confirmed Results for DISCERN™ Alzheimer’s Test and Physicians’ Assessment of Clinical Utility of DISCERN at BRAINWeek 2023

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 12, 2023

AD fibroblast cells form larger aggregates in contrast to non-AD dementia (non-ADD) or non-dementia control (NDC) samples, which formed smaller and more numerous aggregates.

Key Points: 
  • AD fibroblast cells form larger aggregates in contrast to non-AD dementia (non-ADD) or non-dementia control (NDC) samples, which formed smaller and more numerous aggregates.
  • These findings were collected using a double-blind protocol for demented patients over the age of 55 and eventually confirmed through an autopsy study.
  • The clinical utility study from a sample of 402 primary care physicians (PCPs) including 250 PCPs, 102 neurologists and 50 geriatricians demonstrated that 90% physicians would routinely use the results of DISCERN.
  • While there are tests for identifying the presence of amyloid, only DISCERN has demonstrated >95% sensitivity and specificity to identify AD itself in people living with dementia or mixed dementia.

SYNAPS Dx Showcases Autopsy-Confirmed Results for DISCERN™ Alzheimer’s Test and Physicians’ Assessment of the Clinical Utility of DISCERN at BRAINWeek 2023

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Additionally, our poster entitled “Physicians’ Assessment of the Clinical Utility of a Novel Test to Diagnose AD” will demonstrate the important autopsy-validated clinical study of the DISCERN test and its unparalleled contribution to accurately inform physician decision-making.

Key Points: 
  • Additionally, our poster entitled “Physicians’ Assessment of the Clinical Utility of a Novel Test to Diagnose AD” will demonstrate the important autopsy-validated clinical study of the DISCERN test and its unparalleled contribution to accurately inform physician decision-making.
  • Results demonstrate that most physicians would routinely use the results of DISCERN and the test was an important attribute in physician decision-making.
  • “Our test results confirm the value of DISCERN and its positioning as a promising breakthrough for early AD diagnosis,” says Amato.
  • For more information, visit SYNAPS Dx at booth #119 at BRAINWeek 2023.

SYNAPS Dx DISCERN™ Test Provides Accurate Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease, Optimizes Prescribing, Minimizes Patient Risks and Informs Coverage Decisions for Leqembi™

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Pursuant to the Leqembi label , once AD is identified, then an assessment of amyloid positivity can be performed in determining if the drug is appropriate.

Key Points: 
  • Pursuant to the Leqembi label , once AD is identified, then an assessment of amyloid positivity can be performed in determining if the drug is appropriate.
  • In clinical utility studies, clinicians were four times more likely to prescribe drugs like Leqembi with a positive DISCERN test than if the test was negative.
  • The established relationship between AD and the skin provides unique positioning for DISCERN which requires a minimally invasive, 3mm skin punch biopsy .
  • “AD is complex but DISCERN resolves the diagnostic dilemma , enabling physicians to make a more definitive diagnosis,” continues Amato.

SYNAPS Dx Honors Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month: Highlights Value of DISCERN™ as Only Skin Test to Accurately Diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 6, 2023

The DISCERN™ diagnostic test assesses factors closely related to the formation of synaptic connections in the brain as well as the formation of amyloid plaque and abnormal tau.

Key Points: 
  • The DISCERN™ diagnostic test assesses factors closely related to the formation of synaptic connections in the brain as well as the formation of amyloid plaque and abnormal tau.
  • Synaptic connections are lost as cognitive functions decline, even early in AD.
  • Amyloid plaques and abnormal tau are the pathologic hallmarks in the brain at autopsy that, together with dementia, definitively identify those patients with AD.
  • “The established relationship between AD and the skin provides unique positioning for DISCERN which requires a minimally invasive, 3mm skin punch biopsy .

Study Confirms DISCERN™ Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnostic Projected to Save Nearly $5 Million Over Three Years for Medicare Advantage Plans, Avoids Inappropriate Prescribing of New, Expensive Medications

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 1, 2023

Results from the study show the DISCERN test, the only autopsy-validated skin test to detect AD, even in people recently diagnosed with dementia, can save nearly $5 million in just three years for a Medicare Advantage plan with one million beneficiaries.

Key Points: 
  • Results from the study show the DISCERN test, the only autopsy-validated skin test to detect AD, even in people recently diagnosed with dementia, can save nearly $5 million in just three years for a Medicare Advantage plan with one million beneficiaries.
  • “Ensuring patients receive accurate diagnoses is of growing urgency as upcoming AD drugs elicit safety concerns and rising costs for the US.
  • Considering the newly available anti-amyloid drugs, improving diagnostic accuracy in the community setting will likely increase the cost savings to the plans.
  • This becomes even more problematic when evaluating treatment options for patients in the early stages of dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

SYNAPS Dx Resolves Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnostic Dilemma: White Paper Documents Improved Diagnostic Pathway with Highly Accurate, Accessible Skin Test

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 9, 2023

SYNAPS Dx (SDx), a privately held company focused on the research, development and commercialization of a diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is pleased to announce the release of its white paper, “ Resolving a Diagnostic Dilemma .” This paper is a timely, authoritative document articulating a simplified diagnostic pathway to identify AD in the community primary care and neurology settings.

Key Points: 
  • SYNAPS Dx (SDx), a privately held company focused on the research, development and commercialization of a diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is pleased to announce the release of its white paper, “ Resolving a Diagnostic Dilemma .” This paper is a timely, authoritative document articulating a simplified diagnostic pathway to identify AD in the community primary care and neurology settings.
  • The problem is exacerbated in the early stages of the disease in patients without dementia who experience cognitive decline or mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
  • These challenges combined with the safety considerations of available AD drugs makes an accurate AD diagnosis even more important.
  • For providers, patients and payers, this diagnostic test may reduce costs, improve outcomes and increase patient satisfaction.

SYNAPS Dx President & CEO, Frank Amato, Named Life Sciences CEO of the Year in Maryland Tech Council 2023 ICON Awards

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 2, 2023

SYNAPS Dx (SDx), a privately held company focused on the research, development and commercialization of a diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is thrilled to announce the Maryland Tech Council (MTC), one of the largest technology and life science trade associations in the U.S., has selected Frank Amato, CEO and president, Maryland-headquartered SDx, as the 2023 Life Sciences CEO of the Year at the ICON Awards.

Key Points: 
  • SYNAPS Dx (SDx), a privately held company focused on the research, development and commercialization of a diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is thrilled to announce the Maryland Tech Council (MTC), one of the largest technology and life science trade associations in the U.S., has selected Frank Amato, CEO and president, Maryland-headquartered SDx, as the 2023 Life Sciences CEO of the Year at the ICON Awards.
  • This press release features multimedia.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005209/en/
    “I’m deeply gratified with this recognition and honored to be among the top technology and life sciences executives in Maryland,” says Amato.
  • He has assembled a diverse team of passionate and experienced lab technicians, knowledgeable business advisory council members and experienced scientific and medical advisors.