Astrocyte Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease

Trends Mol Med. 2019 Feb;25(2):77-95. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2018.11.006. Epub 2019 Jan 2.

Abstract

Astrocytic contributions to Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression were, until recently, largely overlooked. Astrocytes are integral to normal brain function and astrocyte reactivity is an early feature of AD, potentially providing a promising target for preclinical diagnosis and treatment. Several in vivo AD biomarkers already exist, but presently there is a paucity of specific and sensitive in vivo astrocyte biomarkers that can accurately measure preclinical AD. Measuring monoamine oxidase-B with neuroimaging and glial fibrillary acidic protein from bodily fluids are biomarkers that are currently available. Developing novel, more specific, and sensitive astrocyte biomarkers will make it possible to pharmaceutically target chemical pathways that preserve beneficial astrocytic functions in response to AD pathology. This review discusses astrocyte biomarkers in the context of AD.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; astrocytes; biomarkers; fluid; imaging.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnosis
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology*
  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / metabolism
  • Astrocytes / pathology*
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Humans

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Glucose