AD pathophysiological changes in the brain may begin decades prior to diagnosis but many patients are diagnosed only after advanced symptom onset. After identifying early stages of cognitive impairment and ruling out other causes, biomarkers can be used to confirm a diagnosis of AD. Biomarkers can help identify patients with AD early. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of amyloid plaque and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, measuring amyloid-beta (Aβ) and tau, are each a well-established and validated tools to confirm the presence of Aβ accumulation. Blood-based biomarkers (BBBMs) are a newer alternative to PET imaging and CSF-based testing methods for AD.
Learning Zone
Review self-guided learning decks on topics, including CSF AD biomarkers, advances in BBBMs, amyloid PET, tau PET, structural imaging in AD, and much more.
Practical Zone
Review self-guided learning decks with a more practical focus on assessing atrophy with MRI, the clinical utility of amyloid PET, tau PET, and fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET, the clinical utility of CSF AD biomarkers and practical considerations when conducting a lumbar puncture, and the utility of BBBMs.
Visual and Video Zone
Review visual flashcards for quick learning on biomarkers and short videos comprising of on-demand video lectures given by biomarker experts that explore the most recent advances in their development. Alternatively, hear expert insights on future use of biomarkers in the evolving AD patient journey.
Expert panel discussion:
The role of core biomarkers for AD diagnosis
Viewing time: 17 minutes
In this video, Dr Frank Jessen, Dr Alessandro Padovani, and Dr Kaj Blennow consider the role of core CSF and neuroimaging biomarkers in AD, including the advantages and challenges of these modalities and their use in clinical practice.
Expert panel discussion:
The role of blood-based biomarkers in AD diagnosis
Viewing time: 15 minutes
Dr Frank Jessen, Dr Alessandro Padovani, and Dr Kaj Blennow consider blood-based biomarkers in AD, their potential utility in primary care, and the support and changes that will be needed within healthcare systems to enable their widespread use in the future.
Advances in biomarkers that can provide an accurate and early diagnosis of AD
Viewing time: 10 minutes
Speaker: Dr Suzanne Schindler
Dr Schindler provides her insights and perspectives on the following questions:
• What biomarkers are available to diagnose AD?
• How are biomarkers implemented in clinical practice currently?
• What are blood-based AD biomarkers and what do they measure?
• How are these blood-based biomarkers potentially going to be used in clinical practice?
Challenges of AD diagnosis: focus on biomarkers
Viewing time: 5 minutes 40 seconds
Speaker: Dr. Oskar Hansson
Join Professor Hansson as he explores current diagnostic methods in AD, their limitations, and how the use of blood-based biomarkers could help to improve the diagnostic workup for dementia. He describes how biomarkers are being used today as well as their potential to enhance routine clinical practice in the future.
Introducing amyloid PET
Viewing time: 6 minutes 40 seconds
Speaker: Dr. Susan Landau
In this presentation Dr. Landau provides an overview of the use of amyloid PET imaging in AD for both clinical and research use, including an exploration of the disconnect between amyloid positivity and the presence of cognitive symptoms that is observed in some individuals.
Introducing tau PET
Viewing time: 7 minutes 50 seconds
Speaker: Dr. Susan Landau
Join Dr. Landau as she explores the use of tau PET imaging in AD, including patterns of normal and AD-specific accumulation of tau in the brain, its link to cognitive symptoms, and use as a predictive biomarker. Dr. Landau also considers why tau elevation is heterogeneous, even among amyloid positive, symptomatic individuals with AD.
Blood-based biomarkers
Viewing time: 3 minutes 50 seconds
Speaker: Dr. Oskar Hansson
In this presentation, Professor Hansson describes recent recommendations on the use of blood-based AD biomarkers and what these mean for clinical practice. He identifies key evidence gaps that must be addressed before these biomarkers can be used in clinical practice, and provides an overview of their use in clinical trials evaluating emerging therapies for AD.
The AT(N) classification system for describing biological changes in Alzheimer’s disease
Infographic
View this infographic to learn about the AT(N)
classification system proposed to increase
diagnostic accuracy and early diagnosis of AD
Listening Zone
Listen to podcasts with experts in the field of AD on the now and next in biomarker advances.
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References
- Alzheimer’s Association. 2023 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures. Alzheimers Dement. 2023;19(4):1598-1695.
- How biomarkers help diagnose dementia. National Institute of Aging. Updated January 21, 2022. Accessed July, 2023. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/biomarkers- dementia-detection-and-research
- Nakamura A, et al. Nature. 2018;554(7691);249-254.
- Schindler SE, et al. Neurology. 2019;93(17):e1647-e1659.
- Palmqvist S, et al. JAMA Neurol. 2019;76(9); 1060-1069.