Plasma biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease: much needed but tough to find

Biomark Med. 2012 Aug;6(4):441-54. doi: 10.2217/bmm.12.48.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease is a complex age-dependent neurodegenerative disease where definitive diagnosis is only possible after autopsy and where there is a long prodromal or preclinical phase. Biomarkers for both early diagnosis and prediction of disease progression are needed and extensive efforts to discover them have been undertaken. In this article, we have attempted to summarize the findings of current studies using proteomics and metabolomics approaches. We are also discussing how the use of emerging technologies and better study designs can support the identification of the much-needed Alzheimer's disease plasma biomarkers.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnosis*
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / blood
  • Biomarkers / blood*
  • Humans
  • Metabolomics
  • Peptide Fragments / blood
  • Proteomics
  • Research Design

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Biomarkers
  • Peptide Fragments
  • amyloid beta-protein (1-40)
  • amyloid beta-protein (1-42)