Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2018;62(3):1125-1140.
doi: 10.3233/JAD-170773.

The Past and the Future of Alzheimer's Disease Fluid Biomarkers

Kaj Blennow  1 , Henrik Zetterberg  1
Affiliations
Review

The Past and the Future of Alzheimer's Disease Fluid Biomarkers

Kaj Blennow et al. J Alzheimers Dis. 2018.

Abstract

Following the development of the first methods to measure the core Alzheimer's disease (AD) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers total-tau (T-tau), phosphorylated tau (P-tau) and the 42 amino acid form of amyloid-β (Aβ42), there has been an enormous expansion of this scientific research area. Today, it is generally acknowledged that these biochemical tests reflect several central pathophysiological features of AD and contribute diagnostically relevant information, also for prodromal AD. In this article in the 20th anniversary issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, we review the AD biomarkers, from early assay development to their entrance into diagnostic criteria. We also summarize the long journey of standardization and the development of assays on fully automated instruments, where we now have high precision and stable assays that will serve as the basis for common cut-off levels and a more general introduction of these diagnostic tests in clinical routine practice. We also discuss the latest expansion of the AD CSF biomarker toolbox that now also contains synaptic proteins such as neurogranin, which seemingly is specific for AD and predicts rate of future cognitive deterioration. Last, we are at the brink of having blood biomarkers that may be implemented as screening tools in the early clinical management of patients with cognitive problems and suspected AD. Whether this will become true, and whether it will be plasma Aβ42, the Aβ42/40 ratio, or neurofilament light, or a combination of these, remains to be established in future clinical neurochemical studies.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; amyloid; biomarkers; cerebrospinal fluid; neurogranin; plasma; tau.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. McKhann G, Drachman D, Folstein M, Katzman R, Price D, Stadlan EM (1984) Clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease: Report of the NINCDS-ADRDA Work Group under the auspices of Department of Health and Human Services Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease. Neurology 34, 939–944. - PubMed
    1. Grundke-Iqbal I, Iqbal K, Tung YC, Quinlan M, Wisniewski HM, Binder LI (1986) Abnormal phosphorylation of the microtubule-associated protein tau (tau) in Alzheimer cytoskeletal pathology. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 83, 4913–4917. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Masters CL, Simms G, Weinman NA, Multhaup G, McDonald BL, Beyreuther K (1985) Amyloid plaque core protein in Alzheimer disease and Down syndrome. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 82, 4245–4249. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Beastall GH, Watson ID (2013) Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine: An appreciation. Clin Chem Lab Med 51, 3–4. - PubMed
    1. Engelborghs S, Niemantsverdriet E, Struyfs H, Blennow K, Brouns R, Comabella M, Dujmovic I, van der Flier W, Frolich L, Galimberti D, Gnanapavan S, Hemmer B, Hoff E, Hort J, Iacobaeus E, Ingelsson M, Jan de Jong F, Jonsson M, Khalil M, Kuhle J, Lleo A, de Mendonca A, Molinuevo JL, Nagels G, Paquet C, Parnetti L, Roks G, Rosa-Neto P, Scheltens P, Skarsgard C, Stomrud E, Tumani H, Visser PJ, Wallin A, Winblad B, Zetterberg H, Duits F, Teunissen CE (2017) Consensus guidelines for lumbar puncture in patients with neurological diseases. Alzheimers Dement (Amst) 8, 111–126. - PMC - PubMed