Biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases

Nat Med. 2021 Jun;27(6):954-963. doi: 10.1038/s41591-021-01382-x. Epub 2021 Jun 3.

Abstract

Biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases are needed to improve the diagnostic workup in the clinic but also to facilitate the development and monitoring of effective disease-modifying therapies. Positron emission tomography methods detecting amyloid-β and tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease have been increasingly used to improve the design of clinical trials and observational studies. In recent years, easily accessible and cost-effective blood-based biomarkers detecting the same Alzheimer's disease pathologies have been developed, which might revolutionize the diagnostic workup of Alzheimer's disease globally. Relevant biomarkers for α-synuclein pathology in Parkinson's disease are also emerging, as well as blood-based markers of general neurodegeneration and glial activation. This review presents an overview of the latest advances in the field of biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases. Future directions are discussed regarding implementation of novel biomarkers in clinical practice and trials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnosis*
  • Alzheimer Disease / genetics
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / genetics
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / isolation & purification
  • Biomarkers*
  • Humans
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / genetics
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / pathology
  • Parkinson Disease / diagnosis*
  • Parkinson Disease / genetics
  • Parkinson Disease / pathology
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • alpha-Synuclein / genetics
  • alpha-Synuclein / isolation & purification
  • tau Proteins / genetics
  • tau Proteins / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Biomarkers
  • alpha-Synuclein
  • tau Proteins