Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 25, 2026

Tear-Derived Exosomal miR-15a as New Diagnostic Tool for Diabetic Retinopathy
07:45

Tear-Derived Exosomal miR-15a as New Diagnostic Tool for Diabetic Retinopathy

Published on: December 30, 2025

640

Diagnostic Value of microRNA for Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Yong-Bo Hu1, Chun-Bo Li2, Ning Song3

  • 1Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Institute, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China.

Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
|February 24, 2016
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) show altered expression in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This review confirms their role in AD pathology and highlights specific miRNAs as potential biomarkers for early AD diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs involved in gene regulation.
  • Aberrant miRNA expression is increasingly recognized in AD pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and meta-analyze the role of miRNAs in Alzheimer's disease.
  • To evaluate the clinical diagnostic value of miRNAs in AD patients.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review of 236 papers on miRNA dysregulation in AD.
  • Meta-analysis of seven quantitative studies assessing diagnostic accuracy of miRNAs.

Main Results:

  • Systematic review identified relationships between aberrant miRNAs and AD pathology.
  • Meta-analysis showed pooled sensitivity of 0.86 and specificity of 0.87 for miRNA diagnosis.
  • Diagnostic odds ratio was 28.29, with an area under the curve of 0.87.

Conclusions:

  • Abnormal expression of various miRNAs is integral to the pathological process of Alzheimer's disease.
  • Specific miRNAs demonstrate significant potential as diagnostic biomarkers for AD.
Keywords:
Alzheimer’s diseasediagnostic valuemeta-analysismiRNAsystematic review

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Exploring Sex-Specific Glial Signatures and Therapeutic Leads for Alzheimer's Disease04:22

Author Spotlight: Exploring Sex-Specific Glial Signatures and Therapeutic Leads for Alzheimer's Disease

Published on: May 20, 2024

1.5K
Detection of MicroRNAs in Microglia by Real-time PCR in Normal CNS and During Neuroinflammation13:36

Detection of MicroRNAs in Microglia by Real-time PCR in Normal CNS and During Neuroinflammation

Published on: July 23, 2012

20.2K

Related Concept Videos

Alzheimer's Disease: Overview01:26

Alzheimer's Disease: Overview

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
2.0K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After...
24.6K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
4.2K
Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment01:22

Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment

Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically identified by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. AD pharmacotherapy aims to manage cognitive symptoms, delay disease progression, and treat behavioral symptoms. The treatment is primarily symptomatic and palliative, with no definitive disease-modifying therapy available. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne), are...
1.2K