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Laboratory diagnostic tests for Alzheimer's disease
K Iqbal1, G P Wang, I Grundke-Iqbal
1New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island 10314.
Progress in Clinical and Biological Research
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Diagnosing Alzheimer disease (AD/SDAT) is challenging, often requiring brain examination. This study explored a potential laboratory diagnostic test using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to detect paired helical filaments (PHF).
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
Background:
- Alzheimer disease (AD/SDAT) is a neurodegenerative disorder marked by brain pathology, including neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques.
- Current clinical diagnosis of AD/SDAT is uncertain (10-50% accuracy) and definitive diagnosis requires post-mortem brain examination.
- No reliable laboratory diagnostic test currently exists for AD/SDAT.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of a laboratory diagnostic test for Alzheimer disease (AD/SDAT).
- To assess the potential of using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers related to paired helical filaments (PHF) for AD/SDAT diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed using a monoclonal antibody targeting PHF.
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from clinically diagnosed AD/SDAT patients and a control group were analyzed.
- PHF immunoreactivity in CSF was measured using the developed ELISA assay.
Main Results:
- Higher PHF immunoreactivity was observed in the CSF of AD/SDAT patients compared to control subjects.
- This finding suggests a potential biomarker for AD/SDAT in cerebrospinal fluid.
Conclusions:
- A laboratory diagnostic test for Alzheimer disease (AD/SDAT) based on PHF immunoreactivity in CSF may be feasible.
- Further validation with large-scale studies, including histopathological confirmation and multi-center trials, is necessary to determine the test's specificity and sensitivity.