Assessment of Biomarkers for Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that presents significant diagnostic challenges, particularly in its early stages. Early detection is crucial for effective intervention, as treatments are more effective when administered early. Recent advancements in biomarker identification have paved the way for potential diagnostic tools for AD. This paper explores the use of biomarkers in the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and evaluates their clinical significance.
Methods: A systematic review of studies conducted between 2015 and 2023 was performed, focusing on the use of biomarkers in the early detection of Alzheimer's disease. Studies included biomarkers such as amyloid-beta, tau proteins, neurofilament light chain (NfL), and neuroimaging biomarkers. The research incorporated both human clinical trials and animal models.
Results: A growing body of evidence supports the role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, such as amyloid-beta and tau, in early Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Neuroimaging techniques, particularly PET scans, are also valuable tools in detecting amyloid plaques and tau tangles. Blood-based biomarkers, though in the early stages of development, show promise for non-invasive testing.
Conclusion: Biomarkers have the potential to revolutionize the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, improving prognostic accuracy and enabling earlier therapeutic interventions. However, further research is needed to validate these biomarkers for routine clinical use, and more work is required to identify non-invasive biomarkers for widespread clinical application.