A Review of Biochemical Markers for Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease, the most prevalent type of dementia, affects the life of elderly, to such extent that it impairs the ability to perform routine functions as well. The impairment of normal functions not only affects the patients but the family members as well. It is difficult to make a definitive diagnosis; hence some clinical and psychological tools are used to diagnose the disease. MRI can be used effectively in this regard as well. However in the recent years, much work has been done to devise a biochemical marker which can be effective for definitive and early diagnosis. Amyloid beta and CSF tau proteins have been the most successful by far in confirming the Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Other biomarkers such as neuronal markers are also important as they particularly show the pathology in brain. It is recommended by National Institute on Aging to include amyloid beta and markers of neuronal pathology in tools for clinical diagnosis of the disease; even so, more work is required in this regard. It is expected that in future, these markers will be essential to diagnose the disease.