MCiRNA—Synaptic Crystal Ball?

Dale Bredesen

doi:10.18632/aging.100511

Abstract

Comment on: Sheinerman KS, Tsivinsky VG, Crawford F, Mullan MJ, Abdullah L, Umansky SR. Plasma microRNA biomarkers for detection of mild cognitive impairment. Aging (Albany NY). 2012; 4:590-605.

Highlights

Alzheimer’s disease represents a major, and increasing, health care problem, the recognition of which led to the passage of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act in 2011 and the creation of the first national plan for Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
The authors chose 32 neuronal-enriched and brainenriched miRNAs, especially those associated with neurite and synapse-associated processes, analyzed each possible ratio in plasma samples, and identified ratios associated with MCI, AD, and aging
(and less with MCI), leading to a loss of the synapse and neurite-associated miRNAs that form the basis for the assay, in much the same way that end-stage liver disease is often associated with a more modest increase in “liver function tests” than is earlier, more active liver disease

Summary

Introduction

Alzheimer’s disease represents a major, and increasing, health care problem, the recognition of which led to the passage of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act in 2011 and the creation of the first national plan for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD therapeutic development is for a practical and accurate predictive test that would potentially allow presymptomatic treatment. Proteomic analyses of plasma show promise in filling this void [1], and recently, Sheinerman et al have described a novel and very interesting approach, evaluating the ratios of specific plasma miRNAs [2].

Results

Conclusion