Serum FOXO3A: A potent marker for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline. In any ageing society it’s a major health concern and a public health challenge. 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 in inferior temporal region and parahippocampus. FOXO3a can be a potential novel target against AD.MethodAD, Mild Cognitive impairment (MCI) and Geriatric Control (GC) were recruited after diagnosis by clinical assessment, MRI, Tau PET and FDG PET. We have quantified serum FOXO3a by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and compare with Tau PET between of AD, MCI patients and GC.ResultSerum FOXO3A was significantly lower in AD (1.42 ± 0.09 ng/μl) compare to MCI (1.61 ± 0.14 ng/μl) and GC (1.89 ± 0.07 ng/μl). ROC curve for FOXO3A protein level was plotted and showed a reasonably good sensitivity and specificity at the cut‐off value for detecting cognitively impaired patients (AD and MCI) in compared to control older subjects. For Tau PET in inferior temporal region, the AUC for predicting AD from GC was 0.72 and AD from MCI was 0.71.ConclusionSerum FOXO3A could significantly differentiate AD vs MCI, MCI vs GC and AD vs GC. It may serve as novel blood marker for early detection for AD and target for therapeutic intervention.