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Dried Blood Spot Collection of Health Biomarkers to Maximize Participation in Population Studies
Published on: January 28, 2014
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Biomarkers
Emmanuel Epenge1,2, Jean N Ikanga3,4
1Global Brain Health Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Alzheimer'S & Dementia : the Journal of the Alzheimer'S Association
|December 25, 2025
Summary
This study identified cognitive and plasma biomarker profiles for Alzheimer's disease (AD) in older Congolese adults. Findings reveal similar AD cognitive and biomarker patterns to those observed in Western populations.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gerontology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Western studies established Alzheimer's disease (AD) cognitive and plasma biomarker profiles.
- Such profiles are lacking in low- and middle-income countries.
- This study addresses this gap by examining profiles in older Congolese adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the cognitive and plasma biomarker profiles of probable Alzheimer's disease (pAD) in older Congolese adults.
- To compare these profiles with those of healthy controls (HC).
- To assess the diagnostic accuracy of established biomarkers in a Congolese population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study of 114 participants (56 with pAD, 58 HC) aged 50+.
- Utilized DSM-5-TR, CSID, AQ, and African Neuropsychology Battery (ANB) for diagnosis and cognitive assessment.
- Employed Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for statistical analysis with p < 0.05 significance.
Main Results:
- Cognitive deficits were significantly higher in pAD patients, especially in verbal memory, visuospatial memory, language, facial perception, and executive functions.
- Reduced Abeta 42/40 ratio, increased amyloid probability score (APS), and Apoe4 were predominant in pAD patients.
- Abeta 40, Abeta 42, and ptau 181 levels did not significantly differ between groups.
Conclusions:
- The cognitive and biomarker profiles of probable Alzheimer's disease in older Congolese adults align with findings from Western studies.
- This suggests potential universality of certain AD diagnostic markers.
- Highlights the need for culturally adapted diagnostic tools and further research in diverse populations.
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