A New Frontier in CWD Detection: Antemortem Plasma Biomarkers and Behavioral Profiling in Transgenic Mouse Models

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) that is confined to cervids (deer, moose, elk, and reindeer) but shares key properties with human neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's disease and frontal-temporal dementia. CWD and other TSEs are caused by the misfolded prion protein (PrP). Although the identification of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers at all stages of disease progression is becoming exceedingly critical as CWD continues to increase in prevalence, accurate antemortem testing techniques are extremely limited. This study made use of cervidized transgenic mice (mice carrying the cervid PrP) that recapitulate CWD in various disease stages and investigated the utility of neurological biomarkers and neurobehavioral manifestations for CWD detection. Neurofilament light chain (NFL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and total Tau (t-Tau) were assessed under the hypothesis that combined biomarker signatures might more reliably reflect CWD-related neurodegeneration and disease progression. Analyses at 90, 132, 174, and 230 days post-CWD inoculation show distinct biomarker elevation, with all three biomarkers significantly elevated in the CWD animals by 132 days post-inoculation. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that these three plasma biomarkers are useful not only for detecting CWD, but also for identifying it at early antemortem stages of disease. Novel phenotypes were also revealed by comprehensive phenotypic profiling, including rigid tail elevation, increased grip strength, and impaired coordination, to lend further support to plasma biomarker data indicating neurologic impairment associated with brain pathology. Ultimately, the goal is to improve antemortem, non-invasive CWD detection methods to enable earlier detection and assist with disease management.