Medical test maker Nanogen Inc. said Monday that it received four patents covering the use of biological markers to diagnose diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.

Biological markers, known as biomarkers, are specific biochemical characteristics within certain patient populations.

Three of the patents cover biological markers found in Type 2, or adult onset, diabetes. The company said the markers could be used potentially to assess a person's risk of developing disease and possible treatment options.

The fourth patent covers the marker human glutamine synthetase, which is associated with Alzheimer's disease. Along with a test to detect Alzheimer's, a test could also be developed using the marker to distinguish whether a person's dementia is being caused by the disease.

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