Biomarkers of Oxidative Damage and Inflammation in Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

Oxidative damage and inflammation are important features of the brain pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Oxidative damage can be found in membranes (lipid peroxidation), proteins (nitrosylation and other post-translational changes) and nucleic acids. Inflammatory changes include activation of microglia and astrocytes, with increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Not all of these changes are specific to AD, and occur in other neurodegenerative disorders. Both oxidative stress and inflammation are potential therapeutic targets in AD, and biomarkers could help to identify and monitor key pathways in patients with AD. This article summarizes progress in developing cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers related to oxidative stress and inflammation, problems and pitfalls related to systemic (blood- or urine-based) biomarkers in this area, and future research directions and applications.

KEYWORDS::

• Alzheimer's disease
• biomarker
• cytokines
• F₂-isoprostanes
• oxidative stress

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors’ work is supported by NIA grants AGO5131 and AGO5136. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

The authors’ work is supported by NIA grants AGO5131 and AGO5136. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.