Platelets, a reliable source for peripheral Alzheimer's disease biomarkers?

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biochemistry
• Gerontology

Background:

• Aging populations face rising rates of age-related diseases, including cognitive deficits like Alzheimer's disease.
• Alzheimer's disease diagnosis is challenging antemortem due to limited sample access, with definitive diagnosis only postmortem.
• Current cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers require invasive lumbar punctures, creating a need for accessible peripheral biomarkers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review potential peripheral biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease found in blood platelets.
• To discuss the role, implications, and alterations of these platelet biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease.
• To assess the performance of platelet biomarkers using Hedge effect size where data is available.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating peripheral biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease.
• Analysis of research on blood platelets as a source of Alzheimer's disease biomarkers.
• Calculation of Hedge effect size to quantify biomarker performance.

Main Results:

• Blood platelets exhibit biochemical properties similar to neurons, making them a viable source for Alzheimer's biomarkers.
• Specific platelet biomarkers show alterations associated with Alzheimer's disease.
• Quantitative analysis (Hedge effect size) provides a measure of biomarker efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Platelet biomarkers represent a promising, less invasive approach for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis.
• Further research into platelet biomarkers could significantly improve early and routine diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
• Accessible peripheral biomarkers are essential for managing the increasing burden of age-related cognitive decline.