Blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease: towards clinical implementation

Charlotte E. Teunissen, Inge M.W. Verberk, Elisabeth H. Thijssen, Lisa Vermunt, Oskar Hansson, Henrik Zetterberg, Wiesje M. van der Flier, Michelle M. Mielke, Marta del Campo

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

338 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

For many years, blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease seemed unattainable, but recent results have shown that they could become a reality. Convincing data generated with new high-sensitivity assays have emerged with remarkable consistency across different cohorts, but also independent of the precise analytical method used. Concentrations in blood of amyloid and phosphorylated tau proteins associate with the corresponding concentrations in CSF and with amyloid-PET or tau-PET scans. Moreover, other blood-based biomarkers of neurodegeneration, such as neurofilament light chain and glial fibrillary acidic protein, appear to provide information on disease progression and potential for monitoring treatment effects. Now the question emerges of when and how we can bring these biomarkers to clinical practice. This step would pave the way for blood-based biomarkers to support the diagnosis of, and development of treatments for, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)66-77
Number of pages12
JournalThe Lancet Neurology
Volume21
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Jan 2021

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