MicroRNA in Alzheimer's disease: an exploratory study in brain, cerebrospinal fluid and plasma

Biomarkers. 2013 Aug;18(5):455-66. doi: 10.3109/1354750X.2013.814073. Epub 2013 Jul 3.

Abstract

MicroRNA (miRNA) may be potential biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The objective of this investigation was to demonstrate that miRNAs in human brain or biofluids are differentially expressed according to disease status, tissue type, neuritic plaque score or Braak stage. Post-mortem brain (PMB) miRNA were profiled using arrays and validated using quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Five qRT-PCR-validated miRNAs were measured in an independent sample of PMB, cerebrospinal fluid and plasma from the same subjects. Plasma miR-15a was found to be associated with plaque score in the independent sample. In conclusion, miRNA present in human biofluids may offer utility as biomarkers of AD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / blood
  • Alzheimer Disease / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnosis
  • Area Under Curve
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Biomarkers / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Humans
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / blood
  • MicroRNAs / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA Interference
  • ROC Curve
  • Transcriptome

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • MicroRNAs