MicroRNA Dysregulation in Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

Background and objective: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is arguably the largest healthcare issue of our time. AD is thought to be principally the result of an inter-play between the β-amyloid peptide and Tau, and it is driven by several genetic and environmental risk factors. Recent studies have shown that small non-protein-coding microRNA (miRNA) and the associated post-transcriptional gene regulation are important regulators of many neurodegenerative diseases, including AD. We reviewed recent studies identifying various miRNA dysregulated in AD. These miRNAs could play a significant role in the pathophysiology of AD, in both β-amyloid peptide and Tau toxicity.

Conclusion: The identification of dysregulated miRNAs pattern can serve as specific AD biomarkers which may provide the basis for new and effective diagnostic approach. In addition, these miRNAs may represent new targets for pharmaceutical development.

Keywords: Alzheimer disease; Tauopathy; biomarker; microRNA; treatment; β-amyloid.