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Circulating microRNAs in Alzheimer's disease: the search for novel biomarkers

Véronique Dorval1, Peter T Nelson, Sébastien S Hébert

  • 1Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec (Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval), Québec QC, Canada ; Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec QC, Canada.

Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience
|September 7, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is crucial. Researchers are investigating microRNAs (miRNAs) in cerebrospinal fluid and blood as potential biomarkers for detecting AD before symptoms appear.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in older adults.
  • Current AD diagnosis is challenging, often requiring post-mortem confirmation, and neurodegeneration begins years before clinical symptoms manifest.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) as early diagnostic biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease.
  • To investigate characteristic changes in circulating miRNAs in AD patients.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in cerebrospinal fluid and blood serum.
  • Comparison of miRNA profiles between AD patients and control groups.

Main Results:

  • Emerging studies indicate distinct alterations in circulating miRNA levels in individuals with AD.
  • These changes suggest miRNAs may serve as indicators of neurodegenerative processes.

Conclusions:

  • Circulating microRNAs show promise as potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
  • Further research is needed to validate miRNAs, alone or with other biomarkers like amyloid and tau, for reliable AD detection.
Keywords:
Alzheimer’s diseasebiomarkerdiagnosismicroRNAmild cognitive impairment

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