Chapter 14: Circulating Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease Check Access

The identification of biomarkers that permit early detection of people with a higher risk for developing Alzheimer's disease is crucial. It is necessary to undertake a large-scale screening to identify the circulating biomarkers in biofluids, which is less invasive than lumbar puncture, economically viable compared to brain amyloid imaging and allows easy and reliable diagnostic assessment in primary care clinical settings. We discuss a number of candidates with potential as molecular biomarkers for possible prediction of Alzheimer's disease. These candidates include markers of vascular injury, metabolic and inflammatory states, amyloid and tau pathway markers, measures of neural degeneration and repair, and other molecular markers that contribute to the detrimental anatomical and functional changes of Alzheimer's disease. Blood biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's disease and their diagnostic potential are discussed in detail. Novel biomarkers identified in other fluids like saliva, urine and tears that possibly pay the way for non-invasive diagnostic approaches are explored.