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Advanced Neurology

REVIEW ARTICLE
Graphene quantum dots: A novel approach for

early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease

Gideon Sorlelodum Alex * , Martina C. Anene-Ogbe 1† , Glory Farounbi 2† ,
1
Tolulope Judah Gbayisomore 3† , and Adejoke Elizabeth Memudu 4
1 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, University of Port Harcourt, Port
Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
2 Department of Medicine and Surgery, College of Medicine, Lagos State University, Ikeja, Lagos
State, Nigeria
3 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo,
Ondo State, Nigeria
4 Department of Anatomy, Neuroscience Unit, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, Edo State University,
Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of age-related dementia and death,
resulting from the aggregation of tau protein into insoluble neurofibrillary tangles
(NFTs) composed of paired helical filaments and straight filaments. Graphene quantum
dots (GQDs), a unique form of nanoparticles, have emerged as a crucial tool for the
† These authors contributed equally
to this work. detection and diagnosis of AD. They are considered attractive due to their fluorescence-
emitting capabilities, nanoscale size, chemical stability, solubility, and ease of synthesis.
*Corresponding author:
Gideon Sorlelodum Alex In this review, we investigated the potential of GQDs as a therapeutic tool in AD
(alex2gideon@gmail.com) intervention, highlighting their recent developments, challenges, and future directions.
Citation: Alex GS, A comprehensive and systematic search was conducted across electronic databases
Anene-Ogbe MC, Farounbi G, (Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Medline) for recent and up-to-date articles related
Gbayisomore TJ, Memudu AE. to the keywords: “Alzheimer’s disease,” “graphene quantum dots,” “nanoparticles,” and
Graphene quantum dots: A novel
approach for early detection and “neuroscience.” Our findings indicate that QDs possess the ability to cross the blood–brain
diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. barrier, reduce disease symptoms, and facilitate drug delivery, cell labeling, and neuronal
Adv Neurol. 2025;4(4):17-30. regeneration. In addition, early identification, prevention, and disassembly of tau protein
doi: 10.36922/an.7087
aggregation in AD can be achieved using GQDs. In conclusion, the application of GQDs
Received: December 5, 2024 to improve the progression of AD neuropathology by disintegrating NFTs of tau protein
Revised: March 18, 2025 presents a promising approach for diagnostic research in AD. The limitations of GQDs,
particularly their long-term exposure to the brain, need to be thoroughly investigated.
Accepted: April 7, 2025
This includes minimizing the side effects through a multidisciplinary translational
Published online: April 28, 2025 neuroscience approach for therapeutic applications in clinical trials.
Copyright: © 2025 Author(s).
This is an Open-Access article
distributed under the terms of the Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Graphene quantum dots; Nanoparticles; Neurotoxicity;
Creative Commons Attribution Tau proteins; Ultrasensitive detection
License, permitting distribution,
and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is
properly cited.
1. Introduction
Publisher’s Note: AccScience
Publishing remains neutral with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia and neurodegenerative
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional disease among older adults. It accounts for over 50 million patients worldwide, with its
1
affiliations. number increasing yearly. AD is primarily marked by profound brain atrophy over time,

Volume 4 Issue 4 (2025) 17 doi: 10.36922/an.7087