FOXO3a: Potential Blood Based Protein Marker for Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

Background: Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is often difficult because of distinct and subjective clinical features, especially in the early stage. FOXO3a protein present in the cognitive centre of brain. FOXO3a can be a potential novel target against AD. Method: We quantified serum FOXO3a by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and compare with TauPET between of AD, Mild Cognitive impairment (MCI) patients and Geriatric Control (GC). Finding: Serum FOXO3a was significantly lower in AD compare to MCI and GC. However, Tau was higher in AD both in serum and in PET scan. Serum pTau was significantly over-expressed in AD compare to other groups. Interpretation: Serum FOXO3a could significantly differentiate AD vs MCI, MCI vs GC and AD vs GC. However, Tau protein could only differentiate AD vs GC but not MCI vs GC. Serum FOXO3a may serve as novel blood marker for early detection for AD and target for therapeutic intervention. Funding Statement: All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi, provided funds for procurement of equipment and consumables, Indian Council of Medical Research for providing the fellowship to Rashmita Pradhan. Declaration of Interests: Authors declare no conflict of interest. Ethics Approval Statement: All India Institute of Medical Sciences Ethics Committee (AIIMS) approved the study protocol (IESC/T28/03.01.2014).