2023 Alzheimer's Association Research Fellowship (AARF)
Optimization of Blood Biomarker Use in AD Clinical Trials
How do certain blood-based proteins impact the risk and progression of Alzheimer’s in different individuals?
Marta Mila Aloma, Ph.D.
Northern California Institute for Research and Education
San Francisco, CA - United States
Background
Recent studies suggest that brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s can occur decades before clinical symptoms (i.e. changes in memory, thinking and reasoning) appear. . Several emerging methods allow for detection of early brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF, the biological fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord). These methods require measuring specific biological markers, or “biomarkers” such as the level of beta-amyloid or tau protein, two hallmark brain changes in Alzheimer’s, and neurofilament light chain protein (NfL, a component of nerve cells that is indicative of injury to the nervous system).
Studies suggest that blood-based biomarkers impact Alzheimer’s risk and progression differently in different individuals. For example, individuals of different ages and ethnicities, as well as those with various chronic health conditions, may be more at risk of Alzheimer’s with different levels and types of biomarkers in the blood. These differences are not yet fully understood, and scientists will need to clarify them in order to develop effective blood-based diagnostic tests for Alzheimer’s and other dementia.
Research Plan
Dr. Marta Milà Alomà and colleagues will examine how blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer’s differ in different populations. They will utilize a wide variety of data – including genetic, brain scan and cognitive (brain function) test data – from two large studies of aging. The researchers will assess how factors such as age, sex, ethnicity, genetic make-up and the presence of chronic disease impact levels of Alzheimer’s-related biomarkers in the blood. They will also examine how well such biomarkers can help predict Alzheimer’s (and the progression of Alzheimer’s over time) in individuals with these varying traits and health factors.
Impact
Results from this study could help promote the understanding of blood-based biomarkers in different populations. Ultimately, such work could lead to targeted, cost-effective blood tests for Alzheimer’s and other dementia.