Biomarkers for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases are needed to improve the differential diagnosis in the clinics as well as the drug discovery and development of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for these devastating disorders. Neurodegenerative disorders share several signs and symptoms and pathological features, which represents a challenge for the accurate diagnosis. Thus far, there is no specific method, test, or biomarker available for diagnosis, prognosis, or therapeutic evaluation. Diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders primarily requires expensive structural and functional brain imaging techniques (such as Positron emission tomography [PET], single-photon emission computed tomography [SPECT], or magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) or invasive tests (such as lumbar puncture) to assess the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Currently, FDA-approved therapies for neurodegenerative diseases mainly relieve the symptoms, they don’t halt or reverse the motor and cognitive dysfunctions seen commonly in different neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, there is an urgent need to uncover biomarkers that increase the accuracy of diagnosis, are easily accessible (such as blood-based biomarkers), and cost effective as well as track the therapeutic responses to promising DMTs in clinical trials. Revealing biomarkers with these criteria will enhance the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.