Rapid label-free detection of metal-induced Alzheimer’s amyloid β peptide aggregation by electrochemical method

Amyloid β peptide plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Metal ions are highly enriched in cerebral amyloid deposits in AD and are proposed to be able to mediate Aβ conformation. Therefore, a rapid, low-cost, and sensitive detection of metal-induced Aβ aggregation and their relation to AD is clearly needed for the clinical diagnosis and treatment. In this report, we study metal-induced Aβ aggregation by a rapid, label-free electrochemical method and monitor both the aggregation kinetics and the morphology in the absence or presence of Zn (II) and Cu (II). Different electrochemical behaviors of Aβ in the absence or presence of metal ions have been observed both in the aggregation kinetics and final aggregates. Our results provide new insights into the application of the rapid, low-cost and sensitive electrochemical device for clinical diagnosis of metal effects on AD or other neurodegenerative diseases which are related to protein misfolding.