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A blood mRNA panel that differentiates Alzheimer's disease from other dementia types
Xiaofeng Fu1, Changbiao Chu1, Yana Pang1
1Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, 45 Changchun St., Beijing, China.
Background:
Messenger RNAs (mRNAs) have been reported to be associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we investigated whether plasma-based mRNAs could distinguish AD from cognitively normal controls and other types of dementia, including vascular dementia (VaD), Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD), behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), and dementia with Lewy body (DLB).
Methods:
Plasma mRNA expression was measured in three independent datasets. Dataset 1 (n = 40; controls, 20; AD, 20) was used to identify the differentially expressed mRNAs. Dataset 2 (n = 122; controls: 60; AD: 62) was used to develop a diagnostic AD model using an mRNA panel. Furthermore, we applied the model to Dataset 3 (n = 334; control, 57; AD, 58; VaD, 55; PDD, 54; bvFTD, 55; DLB, 55) to verify its ability to identify AD and other types of dementia.
Results:
Dataset 1 showed 22 upregulated and 21 downregulated mRNAs. A panel of six mRNAs distinguished AD from the control group in Dataset 2. The panel was used to successfully differentiate AD from other types of dementia in Dataset 3.
Conclusions:
An AD-specific panel of six mRNAs was created that can be used for AD diagnosis.
Insights
A new panel of six messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in plasma can diagnose Alzheimer's disease (AD) and differentiate it from other dementias. This blood test offers a promising tool for early and accurate AD detection.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genomics
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis.
- Investigating plasma mRNA profiles may reveal diagnostic biomarkers for AD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if plasma mRNA levels can distinguish Alzheimer's disease (AD) from cognitively normal individuals.
- To differentiate AD from other neurodegenerative dementias using plasma mRNA signatures.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed plasma mRNA expression across three independent datasets.
- Identified differentially expressed mRNAs in Dataset 1.
- Developed and validated a diagnostic model using a six-mRNA panel in Datasets 2 and 3.
Main Results:
- Identified 22 upregulated and 21 downregulated mRNAs in Dataset 1.
- A six-mRNA panel effectively distinguished AD from controls in Dataset 2.
- The panel successfully differentiated AD from vascular dementia, Parkinson's disease dementia, behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia, and dementia with Lewy body in Dataset 3.
Conclusions:
- An Alzheimer's disease-specific panel comprising six plasma mRNAs has been developed.
- This mRNA panel demonstrates potential for accurate AD diagnosis and differential diagnosis of dementias.
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