What is a Biomarker?
A biomarker is a measurable indicator that can determine a condition, predict an outcome, or help determine risk of developing a condition or disease. In other words, they are used as measurable indicators of what’s happening in the body to monitor health.
How are biofluid markers detected?
The biomarkers we are targeting are found in biofluids such as blood (for example, plasma) and cerebrospinal fluid using methods that can accurately detect proteins present in very small quantities.
How are biofluid biomarkers utilized?
In the clinic, cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers can be used to help diagnose Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia. Biomarkers of amyloid plaque burden (A), tau neurofibrillary tangles (T), and neurodegeneration (N) can be measured in cerebrospinal fluid to aid in diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. In research, other cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers might be valuable tools for early detection of a neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, as well as to assess the impact of medications in clinical trials. Also, more recently, proteins in the blood have been discovered that can alert the clinician and patient to the possibility of Alzheimer’s disease. This is useful for referral of the patient to a specialist for diagnosis.
Why are biofluid biomarkers important to Alzheimer’s Disease research?
Since Alzheimer’s disease is progressive and changes in the brain can begin 10-20 years prior to symptom onset of cognitive decline, biofluid biomarkers are useful tools for monitoring the health of the brain over the lifetime of the patient. We still need biofluid biomarkers that track Alzheimer’s disease progression so that the disease can be detected early before cognitive decline.