The term "3D disease" isn't a standard medical classification. The phrase appears in various research contexts, often referring to the use of three-dimensional models in studying diseases. Therefore, the meaning depends heavily on the context. Let's explore some interpretations:
1. 3D Modeling of Diseases for Research
Many studies utilize three-dimensional (3D) models to understand disease mechanisms. These 3D models can take several forms:
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Organoids: These are miniature, 3D versions of organs grown in a lab from stem cells. They allow researchers to study diseases in a more realistic setting than traditional 2D cell cultures. Examples include 3D models of the peripheral nervous system to study demyelinating diseases https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33514550/ and 3D human brain-like tissue models to study Alzheimer's disease https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aay8828. These models are useful for studying complex hereditary diseases, cancer, and host-microbe interactions https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5979503/.
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Neuroimaging data: Three-dimensional brain scans (MRI, PET) are analyzed using 3D convolutional neural networks to diagnose and predict diseases like Alzheimer's https://arxiv.org/abs/1502.02506v1, https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2019.00509/full.
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Computational models: Researchers create 3D computer simulations to model disease progression and test different treatment strategies.
2. Pellagra: The "Three Ds"
In the context of pellagra, a disease caused by niacin (vitamin B3) deficiency, "3D disease" refers to the classic symptoms: diarrhea, dermatitis, and dementia. A fourth D, death, can also result from untreated pellagra https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23905-pellagra.
3. LEADER 3D Program
The FDA's LEADER 3D program focuses on developing educational resources for rare disease drug developers https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/accelerating-rare-disease-cures-arc-program/learning-and-education-advance-and-empower-rare-disease-drug-developers-leader-3d. In this case, "3D" is likely part of a program name or acronym and doesn't directly relate to a disease classification.
In summary, "3D disease" isn't a singular medical term. It's used descriptively in research, referring to the use of three-dimensional models or the characteristic symptoms of pellagra.
