Alzheimer’s: New Studies Reveal Potential of MicroRNAs for Early Diagnosis

Early diagnosis of the disease is essential to prevent its progression and improve the effectiveness of treatments.

Recently, research has revealed that measuring microRNAs in the blood may be crucial for early identification of Alzheimer’s. Early diagnosis of the disease is essential to prevent its progression and improve the effectiveness of treatments.

Currently, diagnosing Alzheimer’s is a complex process. According to Claudia SuemotoUSP researcher and professor, told Folha de São Paulo, it is necessary to first diagnose dementia through signs such as memory changes and difficulty making decisions. After confirming dementia with cognitive tests, neuroimaging and blood tests they look for reversible causes before focusing on Alzheimer’s.

Why are microRNAs important for diagnosing Alzheimer’s? In Brazil, tests for biomarkers such as beta-amyloid and tau proteins, although effective, are expensive and unavailable to most of the population. These tests require sending samples to laboratories abroad, making clinical practice unlikely.

Plasma miRNAs, or microRNAs, are emerging as a promising alternative. These molecules, influenced by our environment and lifestyle, are associated with neurodegeneration years before beta-amyloid and tau proteins. Therefore, they may indicate an ideal window for preventive intervention.

microRNA testing

To validate the use of miRNAs in diagnosing Alzheimer’s, researchers in the United States and Germany used data from 800 patients from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. They identified miRNAs linked to beta-amyloid and tau proteins, as well as others linked to neurodegeneration.

Phases of microRNA research:

• Initial identification: 800 patients participated in the data collection to identify miRNAs associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
• Plasma test: Plasma samples from healthy and cognitively impaired patients were analyzed for the identified miRNAs.
• Neuropsychological tests: The patients underwent neuropsychological tests, normally used to identify Alzheimer’s, combined with miRNA tests.

The results showed that miRNA tests increase the accuracy of neuropsychological tests, improving the identification of the evolution of neurodegeneration and offering a valid diagnostic alternative.

Next steps for diagnostic validation

Ivan Okamoto, neurologist at the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital, emphasizes to Folha de São Paulo the need to validate new methodologies to diagnose Alzheimer’s, especially blood tests. It is essential to evaluate the reproducibility of these analyses in the Brazilian population, given that much of the research is conducted in Europe and the United States.

miRNAs are stable biomarkers, involving multiple metabolic pathways such as neuroinflammation. These aspects make them ideal for predicting the progression of mild cognitive impairment to dementia, allowing for preventive measures or more effective treatments.

Suemoto says prevention is even more important than diagnosis. Eliminating 14 risk factors can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s in nearly 50 percent of people. These factors include education, hearing loss, depression, obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, social isolation, and air pollution.

Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.