Panel of Genetic Variations as a Potential Non-invasive Biomarker for Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease

• Published in: Clinical psychopharmacology and neuroscience : the official scientific journal of the Korean College of Neuropsychopharmacology Vol. 9; no. 2; pp. 54 - 66
• Main Authors: Ma, Suk Ling, Lam, Linda Chiu Wa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean College of Neuropsychopharmacology 01-08-2011; 대한정신약물학회
• Subjects: Review; 정신과학; Biomarkers; Genetics; Diagnosis; Alzheimer disease
• ISSN: 1738-1088; 2093-4327
• DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2011.9.2.54

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia. Biomarkers such as levels of amyloid beta (Aβ) in cerebrospinal fluid and ApoE genotyping were suggested for the diagnosis of AD, however, the result is either non-conclusive or with invasive procedure. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) for AD suggested single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in many genes are associated with the risk of AD, but each only contributed with small effect to the disease. By incorporating a panel of established genetic susceptibility factors, the risk of an individual in getting AD could be better estimated. Further research will be required to reveal if adding to the current well-developed clinical diagnosis protocol, the accuracy and specificity of diagnosis of AD would be greatly improved and if this might also be beneficial in identifying pre-symptomatic AD patients for early diagnosis and intervention of the disease.