Fibroblast growth patterns for diagnosis of alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Methods of diagnosing Alzheimer's disease are provided. At least five methods of diagnostic measurements are presented: Method 1: Integrated score; Method 2: Average aggregate area per number of aggregates; Method 3: Cell migration analysis; Method 4: Fractal analysis; Method 5: Lacunarity Analysis. In certain embodiments, a sample of a subject's skin provides a network of fibroblasts that is imaged and a fractal dimension of the image is calculated. The fractal dimension can be compared to an aged-matched control (non-Alzheimer's) database to determine if the subject has Alzheimer's disease. The network of fibroblasts may be cultured in a matrix, for example in a protein mixture.

1 .- 94 . (canceled) 
     
     
         95 . A composition of matter comprising (i) 700 μl of BD Matrigel Matrix Growth Factor Reduced having on top of it (ii) a suspension of human skin fibroblasts. 
     
     
         96 . The composition of  claim 95 , wherein the Matrigel Matrix Growth Factor Reduced is homogeneous. 
     
     
         97 . The composition of  claim 95 , wherein the Matrigel Matrix Growth Factor Reduced is at a temperature of 37° C. 
     
     
         98 . The composition of  claim 95 , wherein the suspension of human skin fibroblasts is at a density having a lower threshold of 45 cells/mm 3  and a higher threshold of 62 cells/mm 3 . 
     
     
         99 . The composition of  claim 95 , wherein the suspension of human skin fibroblasts is at a density of 50 cells/mm 3 . 
     
     
         100 . The composition of  claim 95 , wherein the composition of matter is present in a well within a 12-well culture plate. 
     
     
         101 . A composition of matter comprising (i) 700 μl of BD Matrigel Matrix Growth Factor Reduced having on top of it (ii) a suspension of human skin fibroblasts, wherein (i) the Matrigel Matrix Growth Factor Reduced is homogeneous, (ii) the Matrigel Matrix Growth Factor Reduced is at a temperature of 37° C., (iii) the suspension of human skin fibroblasts is at a density of 50 cells/mm 3 , and (iv) the composition of matter is present in a well within a 12-well culture plate. 
     
     
         102 . A method for making a composition of matter comprising (i) 700 μl of BD Matrigel Matrix Growth Factor Reduced having thereupon (ii) a suspension of human skin fibroblasts, which method comprises the step of placing a suspension of human skin fibroblasts on top of 700 μl of BD Matrigel Matrix Growth Factor Reduced. 
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 102 , wherein the Matrigel Matrix Growth Factor Reduced is homogeneous. 
     
     
         104 . The method of  claim 102 , wherein the Matrigel Matrix Growth Factor Reduced is at a temperature of 37° C. 
     
     
         105 . The method of  claim 102 , wherein the suspension of human skin fibroblasts, once atop the Matrigel Matrix Growth Factor Reduced, is adjusted to a density having a lower threshold of 45 cells/mm 3  and a higher threshold of 62 cells/mm 3 . 
     
     
         106 . The method of  claim 102 , wherein the suspension of human skin fibroblasts, once atop the Matrigel Matrix Growth Factor Reduced, is adjusted to a density of 50 cells/mm 3 . 
     
     
         107 . The method of  claim 102 , wherein the composition of matter is present in a well within a 12-well culture plate. 
     
     
         108 . A method for making a composition of matter comprising (i) 700 μl of BD Matrigel Matrix Growth Factor Reduced having thereupon (ii) a suspension of human skin fibroblasts, which method comprises the step of placing a suspension of human skin fibroblasts on top of 700 μl of BD Matrigel Matrix Growth Factor Reduced, wherein (i) the Matrigel Matrix Growth Factor Reduced is homogeneous, (ii) the Matrigel Matrix Growth Factor Reduced is at a temperature of 37° C., (iii) the suspension of human skin fibroblasts, once atop the Matrigel Matrix Growth Factor Reduced, is adjusted to a density of 50 cells/mm 3 , and (iv) the composition of matter is present in a well within a 12-well culture plate.