Role of Serum Biomarkers in Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease in the Swat District
Muhammad Zubair
DOI: http://doi.org/10.63139/aqamc.v2i1.0009
Keywords: Alzheimer’s Disease, Biomarkers, Cognitive Impairment, Amyloid Beta-42, Total Tau, Early Diagnosis, Dementia, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Serum Biomarkers
Abstract:
Introduction: Dementia remains underdiagnosed worldwide, with more than 40 million people affected. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia, characterized by progressive cognitive decline. Biomarkers play a crucial role in confirming AD diagnosis and guiding treatment, particularly anti-amyloid-beta (Aβ) disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), which help slow cognitive impairment (CI). The most established biomarkers for AD include FDG-PET, tau PET, MRI, and blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of amyloid beta-42 (Aβ42) and total tau
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic potential of serum Aβ42 and total tau levels in detecting early-stage AD and their correlation with cognitive impairment severity in patients from Swat, Pakistan
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Saidu Medical College/Saidu Group of Teaching Hospitals, Swat, from March 2023 to April 2024. A total of 58 subjects underwent cognitive assessment using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and were categorized into mild, moderate, or severe CI groups. Serum Aβ42 and total tau levels were measured using Human Amyloid Beta 42 ELISA and Human Tau ELISA kits
Results: Of the 58 participants, 15 had mild CI, 25 had moderate CI, and 18 had severe CI. The study found an inverse correlation between Aβ42 levels and CI severity, while total tau levels increased as CI worsened. These findings suggest that both biomarkers may serve as reliable indicators of cognitive decline
Conclusion: Serum total tau and amyloid beta-42 hold promise as early diagnostic tools for Alzheimer’s Disease when used alongside clinical assessments. Their integration into routine screening protocols may facilitate timely intervention, potentially slowing disease progression
Keywords: Alzheimer’s Disease, Biomarkers, Cognitive Impairment, Amyloid Beta-42, Total Tau, Early Diagnosis, Dementia, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Serum Biomarkers