This thesis presents a multidisciplinary approach to improve Alzheimer’s disease (AD) early diagnosis and therapy. The first part, based on the PRAMA cohort, identifies two novel CSF biomarkers using biophysical and cell viability assays to detect proteostasis failure. The second part focuses on the single-domain antibody DesAb-O, demonstrating its ability to selectively detect Aβ42 oligomers and neutralize their toxicity in patient-derived CSF. This tool was further engineered into Dimeric-DesAb-O. In the third part, ELISA, ThT, and TEM analyses confirm that dimerization enhances binding avidity, alters fibril morphology, and increases protective efficacy at low concentrations. This study suggests innovative immunodiagnostic and therapeutic strategies for future AD clinical applications.
- ORCID: 0009-0004-3087-286X
Liliana Napolitano
First Section: Putative CSF biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease based on the novel concept of generic protein misfolding and proteotoxicity: the PRAMA cohortpp.65-77
Liliana Napolitano
Second Section: A single domain antibody detects and neutralises toxic Aβ42 oligomers in the Alzheimer’s disease CSFpp.79-93
Liliana Napolitano
Third Section: Design of a dimeric-nanobody specific for Aβ42 oligomers: the Dimeric-DesAb-Opp.95-115
Book Title
A multidisciplinary approach for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and potential therapeutic applications
Authors
Liliana Napolitano
Peer Reviewed
Number of Pages
184
Publication Year
2026
Copyright Information
© 2026 Author(s)
Content License
Metadata License
Publisher Name
Firenze University Press
DOI
10.36253/979-12-215-0993-9
ISBN Print
979-12-215-0992-2
eISBN (pdf)
979-12-215-0993-9
eISBN (xml)
979-12-215-0994-6
Series Title
Premio Tesi di Dottorato Città di Firenze
Series ISSN
3103-3881
Series E-ISSN
3103-3989