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Game-Changing Alzheimer’s Discovery Revealed

Alzheimer’s disease affects approximately 32 million individuals globally, and this number is anticipated to rise in the coming years. Researchers are intensifying efforts to detect the condition as early as possible to enhance treatment outcomes and manage its progression.

José Antonio del Río, PhD, a leader at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia and professor at the University of Barcelona, highlights the challenge of diagnosing Alzheimer’s after symptoms have already appeared. Early detection of markers indicating the onset of dementia before symptoms manifest is crucial.

In a recent study published in Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Molecular Basis of Disease, del Río and his team identified a potential biomarker for Alzheimer’s during its asymptomatic stages. This biomarker, miR-519a-3p, a type of microRNA, is associated with the expression of the cellular prion protein and plays a role in regulating gene expression.

The researchers compared biomarker levels in samples from other neurodegenerative diseases to confirm the specificity of miR-519a-3p to Alzheimer’s disease. This specificity is crucial for accurate disease diagnosis, particularly in cases of comorbidity with other conditions.

Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is essential for symptom management and disease progression. The researchers hope their biomarker discovery will facilitate more accurate diagnosis during the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Moving forward, the challenge lies in developing technology to detect subtle changes associated with Alzheimer’s in routine hospital samples, such as blood. Collaboration with clinical groups and further research on miRNAs are essential steps in refining diagnostic techniques for detecting Alzheimer’s disease in its asymptomatic stages.