Alzheimer's disease biomarkers (AD biomarkers)

Alzheimer's disease biomarkers are a collective set of biological indicators used to identify the presence of Alzheimer's pathology, including Amyloid-beta (Aβ) and Tau proteins (Jack et al., 2018, Lancet Neurology). These biomarkers, such as the Aβ42/40 ratio and various phosphorylated tau species (e.g., p-tau217), are essential for diagnosing the disease in both clinical and research settings (Hansson et al., 2023, Nature Medicine). While the term refers to a category rather than a single receptor, the individual components like Aβ and Tau serve as the primary therapeutic targets for recently approved disease-modifying treatments (Cummings et al., 2024, Alzheimer's & Dementia). For instance, monoclonal antibodies like Lecanemab target Aβ protofibrils to reduce plaque burden and slow cognitive decline (van Dyck et al., 2023, NEJM). Additionally, biomarkers like Neurofilament light chain (NfL) provide insights into general neurodegeneration and axonal damage (Khalil et al., 2018, Nature Reviews Neurology). Monitoring these biomarkers is critical for patient selection and assessing the safety and efficacy of anti-amyloid and anti-tau therapies.

Other names

AD biomarkersDementia biomarkersCerebrospinal fluid biomarkersNeurodegenerative biomarkersATN framework indicators

Therapeutic strategies targeting these biomarkers primarily involve monoclonal antibodies that bind to Amyloid-beta aggregates to promote their clearance via microglial-mediated phagocytosis (Sevigny et al., 2016, Nature). Other mechanisms include the inhibition of beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) to reduce Aβ production, although many such trials have faced challenges (Knopman, 2019, Alzheimer's & Dementia). Experimental tau-targeted therapies aim to inhibit tau aggregation or promote the clearance of hyperphosphorylated tau species to prevent the spread of neurofibrillary tangles (Mullard, 2021, Nature Reviews Drug Discovery).