Dysregulated plasma microRNAs as potential biomarkers of aging and Alzheimer´s disease

Abstract

The constant aging of the population worldwide leads to an increased prevalence of age-related diseases like neurodegenerative disorders. Alzheimer´s disease (AD) as one of the most widespread form of neurodegeneration is defined by the gradual deterioration of memory and cognitive functions. The pathological changes emerge years before the onset of clinical symptoms. Small non-coding RNAs, known as microRNAs (miRNAs), act like post-transcriptional gene regulators that trigger translational inhibition or mRNA degradation. The biological role and stability of miRNAs in peripheral biofluids imply their candidate role as diagnostic and prognostic markers. Our study aimed to detect and validate candidate miRNA biomarkers related to AD neurodegeneration. Transcriptomic analysis was executed on AD patients compared to healthy age-matched controls to determine expression levels of miRNAs in plasma samples. The examination of samples identified a panel of dysregulated miRNAs differentiating the AD individuals from healthy controls. Our data suggest the diagnostic potential of microRNAs in AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.