Current Progress and Future Directions for Tau-Based Fluid Biomarker Diagnostics in Alzheimer’s Disease |
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Authors: | Mohammad Arastoo Richard Lofthouse Lewis K Penny Charles R Harrington Andy Porter Claude M Wischik Soumya Palliyil |
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Affiliation: | 1.Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZP, UK; (M.A.); (R.L.); (L.K.P.); (C.R.H.); (A.P.); (S.P.);2.Scottish Biologics Facility, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZP, UK;3.Genting TauRx Diagnostic Centre Sdn. Bhd., Aberdeen AB24 5RP, UK;4.TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen AB24 5RP, UK |
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Abstract: | Despite continued efforts, there remain no disease-modifying drugs approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or European Medicines Agency (EMA) to combat the global epidemic of Alzheimer’s disease. Currently approved medicines are unable to delay disease progression and are limited to symptomatic treatment. It is well established that the pathophysiology of this disease remains clinically silent for decades prior to symptomatic clinical decline. Identifying those at risk of disease progression could allow for effective treatment whilst the therapeutic window remains open for preservation of quality of life. This review aims to evaluate critically the current advances in the interpretation of tau-based biomarkers and their use to provide insights into the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease, whilst highlighting important future directions for the field. This review emphasises the need for a more comprehensive analysis and interrogation of tau within biological fluids, to aid in obtaining a disease specific molecular signature for each stage of Alzheimer’s disease. Success in achieving this could provide essential utility for presymptomatic patient selection for clinical trials, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating disease modifying therapies. |
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Keywords: | Alzheimer’ s disease Tau biomarkers diagnostics cerebrospinal fluid blood |
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