Alzheimer's disease: a scoping review of biomarker research and development for effective disease diagnosis

Expert Rev Mol Diagn. 2022 Jul;22(7):681-703. doi: 10.1080/14737159.2022.2104639. Epub 2022 Jul 28.

Abstract

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is regarded as the foremost reason for neurodegeneration that prominently affects the geriatric population. Characterized by extracellular accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ), intracellular aggregation of hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau), and neuronal degeneration that causes impairment of memory and cognition. Amyloid/tau/neurodegeneration (ATN) classification is utilized for research purposes and involves amyloid, tau, and neuronal injury staging through MRI, PET scanning, and CSF protein concentration estimations. CSF sampling is invasive, and MRI and PET scanning requires sophisticated radiological facilities which limit its widespread diagnostic use. ATN classification lacks effectiveness in preclinical AD.

Areas covered: This publication intends to collate and review the existing biomarker profile and the current research and development of a new arsenal of biomarkers for AD pathology from different biological samples, microRNA (miRNA), proteomics, metabolomics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning for AD screening, diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of AD treatments.

Expert opinion: It is an accepted observation that AD-related pathological changes occur over a long period of time before the first symptoms are observed providing ample opportunity for detection of biological alterations in various biological samples that can aid in early diagnosis and modify treatment outcomes.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; artificial intelligence (AI); biomarkers; machine learning (ML); metabolomics; miRNA; neuronal injury; proteomics; tau; β-amyloid.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease* / diagnosis
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Amyloidosis*
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Biomarkers
  • Humans
  • Research

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Biomarkers