Commentary on "Developing a national strategy to prevent dementia: Leon Thal Symposium 2009." Developing a blood test for Alzheimer's disease using advanced genomic expression technology

Abstract

There is a significant need for reliable molecular biomarkers to aid in Alzheimer's disease (AD) clinical diagnosis. RNA transcriptional profiling, although extensively applied for biomarker development in other diseases, is first defining its role in AD. Application of this technology has the sensitivity and power to provide sufficient information for the development of tests to determine disease severity, progression, heterogeneity, and potential for therapeutic response in the AD population. In order to bring forth the potential of this technology, however, the community needs to make a concerted effort to begin sample collection as soon as patients/subjects are identified. Only then can these powerful technologies be applied in a well controlled study for the development of novel diagnostics.