Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

Background The definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is currently only possible following post-mortem examination of the brain for the disease’s characteristic neuropathology. The successful implementation of disease interventions makes the discovery of biomarkers for early diagnosis and response to treatment paramount. Here we present results from two studies that have implications for AD diagnosis and treatment. Methods The Australian Imaging Biomarker and Lifestyle (AIBL) study of ageing provided the cohorts and data studied. The first study aimed to identify plasma biomarkers for the diagnosis of disease through the screening of 224 plasma analytes. The second study investigated the impact of testosterone and gonadotropins on AD biomarkers. Results A panel of eight biomarkers was identified that obtained sensitivity and specificity of 83% and an AUC of 87%. Testosterone and luteinizing hormone were both found to be associated with plasma and cerebral amyloid-beta levels. Conclusions The identification and validation of a short panel of biomarkers has significant implications for the future diagnosis, prediction and monitoring of AD. The close association of hormones with AD pathology likewise has significant implications on future treatments of the disease, with a clinical trial being the next stage in assessing the efficacy of this approach.