We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
Sekisui Diagnostics UK Ltd.

Download Mobile App




Blood-Based Biomarker Test Predicts Progression to Alzheimer’s in At-Risk Population

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 21 Sep 2023
Print article
Image: A blood biomarker can predict progression to Alzheimer’s disease in at-risk population (Photo courtesy of 123RF)
Image: A blood biomarker can predict progression to Alzheimer’s disease in at-risk population (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

In recent years, there's been an uptick in studies exploring the potential of blood biomarkers like plasma or serum neurofilament light (NfL) in gauging neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Despite this interest, not many attempts have been made to combine existing findings to evaluate how effective NfL in the blood can be as a marker for neurodegeneration in AD. Moreover, we still need to understand which specific neurodegenerative changes correspond to increased levels of NfL in plasma or serum. Now, neuroscience researchers have confirmed that blood NfL levels can be a good indicator for predicting both the likelihood and rate of progression of neurodegenerative changes in Alzheimer’s disease.

NfL in the blood is easily measurable and minimally invasive, making it a practical choice for a clinical biomarker. While it's true that NfL levels rise during normal aging as a general sign of neuronal damage, the extent and rate of this increase are notably greater in cases of Alzheimer's. Neuroscience researchers at Wayne State University (Detroit, MI, USA) combed through existing studies to explore how NfL levels in blood relate to brain imaging data from MRI or PET scans. Their analysis indicates that elevated NfL levels in the blood correspond to more severe brain shrinkage, particularly in the medial temporal lobe. They also found that higher NfL concentrations are linked with lowered glucose metabolism in the brain and reduced integrity of white matter among those on the Alzheimer's spectrum.

Longitudinal studies have also consistently shown a meaningful connection between NfL levels in the blood and brain shrinkage in areas commonly affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Upon reviewing both cross-sectional and longitudinal data, it was clear that NfL levels in the blood can reliably predict the extent of both brain shrinkage and reduced glucose metabolism in regions frequently impacted by Alzheimer's pathology. The work by neuroscience researchers at Wayne State University highlights that not only is blood NfL effective in predicting how quickly neurodegeneration will progress, but it is also a valuable tool for evaluating the risk of cognitive decline in people who are otherwise mentally sound but have a higher risk for Alzheimer's. The research was published in the journal Brain, Aug. 4, 2023.

“The cross-sectional literature indicates that blood NfL shows great promise as a monitoring biomarker to indicate the severity of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease,” said Jessica Damoiseaux, Ph.D. “It could be especially useful in persons who show Alzheimer’s pathology but are at present cognitively unimpaired, or in people who are highly likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease due to having the APOE ε4 allele or higher Aβ load.”

Related Links:
Wayne State University

Gold Member
Blood Gas Analyzer
GEM Premier 7000 with iQM3
Antipsychotic TDM Assays
Saladax Antipsychotic Assays
New
Hematocrit Centrifuge
4088M1 - Zip Compact
New
Gold Member
C-Reactive Protein Reagent
CRP Ultra Wide Range Reagent Kit

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The new saliva-based test for heart failure measures two biomarkers in about 15 minutes (Photo courtesy of Trey Pittman)

POC Saliva Testing Device Predicts Heart Failure in 15 Minutes

Heart failure is a serious condition where the heart muscle is unable to pump sufficient oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. It ranks as a major cause of death globally and is particularly fatal for... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The discovery of a new blood group has solved a 50- year-old mystery (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Newly Discovered Blood Group System to Help Identify and Treat Rare Patients

The AnWj blood group antigen, a surface marker discovered in 1972, has remained a mystery regarding its genetic origin—until now. The most common cause of being AnWj-negative is linked to hematological... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The Accelerate Arc System has been granted US FDA 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of Accelerate Diagnostics)

Automated Positive Blood Culture Sample Preparation Platform Designed to Fight Against Sepsis and AMR

Delayed administration of antibiotics to patients with bloodstream infections significantly increases the risk of morbidity and mortality. For optimal therapeutic outcomes, it is crucial to rapidly identify... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: Confocal- & laminar flow-based detection scheme of intact virus particles, one at a time (Photo courtesy of Paz Drori)

Breakthrough Virus Detection Technology Combines Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy with Microfluidic Laminar Flow

Current virus detection often relies on polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which, while highly accurate, can be slow, labor-intensive, and requires specialized lab equipment. Antigen-based tests provide... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: Last year, Seegene and Werfen has entered into a collaboration on the OneSystem business to develop syndromic qPCR assays (Photo courtesy of Seegene)

Seegene and Werfen Finalize Partnership Agreement on Technology-Sharing Initiative

Seegene (Seoul, South Korea), a leading PCR molecular diagnostics company, and Werfen (Barcelona, Spain), a global diagnostics specialist, have finalized a partnership agreement as part of a technology-sharing... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.