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Review
. 2023 May;270(5):2483-2503.
doi: 10.1007/s00415-023-11572-x. Epub 2023 Jan 24.

The updated development of blood-based biomarkers for Huntington's disease

Sirui Zhang #  1   2   3 , Yangfan Cheng #  1   2 , Huifang Shang  4   5
Affiliations
Review

The updated development of blood-based biomarkers for Huntington's disease

Sirui Zhang et al. J Neurol. 2023 May.

Abstract

Huntington's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by mutation of the huntingtin (HTT) gene. The identification of mutation carriers before symptom onset provides an opportunity to intervene in the early stage of the disease course. Optimal biomarkers are of great value to reflect neuropathological and clinical progression and are sensitive to potential disease-modifying treatments. Blood-based biomarkers have the merits of minimal invasiveness, low cost, easy accessibility and safety. In this review, we summarized the updated development of blood-based biomarkers for HD from six aspects, including neuronal injuries, oxidative stress, endocrine functions, immune reactions, metabolism and differentially expressed miRNAs. The blood-based biomarkers presented and discussed in this review were close to clinical applicability and might facilitate clinical design as surrogate endpoints. Exploration and validation of robust blood-based biomarkers require further standard and systemic study design in the future.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Blood based; Huntington’s disease; Peripheral.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The current understanding of pathogenesis underlying HD and its related blood-based biochemical biomarkers
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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