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Biomol Concepts. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2016 September 23. Published in final edited form as: Biomol Concepts. 2016 August 1; 7(4): 241–252. doi:10.1515/bmc-2016-0014.
Alzheimer's disease: presence and role of microRNAs Manasa Basavaraju and Department of Biological Sciences, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT 06473, USA Alexandre de Lencastre* Department of Biological Sciences, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT 06473, USA
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Abstract
Author Manuscript
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that accounts for the most cases of dementia. AD affects more than 25 million people globally and is predicted to affect nearly one in 85 people worldwide by 2050. AD is characterized by the accumulation of dense plaques of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau that cause impairment in memory, cognition, and daily activities. Although early-onset AD has been linked to several mutations, reliable genetic markers for late-onset AD are lacking. Further, the diagnosis of AD biomarkers has its limitations and cannot detect early-stage AD. The identification of accurate, early, and non-invasive biomarkers for AD is, therefore, an unmet challenge. Recently, micro-RNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as a novel class of gene regulatory elements with conserved roles in development and disease. Recent discoveries have uncovered roles of miRNAs in several model organisms during aging and have identified potential miRNAs biomarkers of AD. Here we will discuss this emerging field of miRNAs associated with AD and prospects for the future.
Keywords Alzheimer's disease; longevity; microRNAs; neurodegenerative diseases; stress
Introduction: Alzheimer's disease
Author Manuscript
Alzheimer's disease (AD) belongs in a class of incurable neurodegenerative diseases, such as Huntington's and Parkinson's, wherein proteotoxic aggregates accumulate with age, leading to progressive and widespread damage to the CNS and, ultimately, death (1). Although progress has been made in identifying genes associated with these devastating syndromes, the causes of these diseases are not well understood. AD is characterized by the formation of amyloid plaques, which are associated with the loss of neuronal function and neuronal cell death (2). The environmental or genetic factors that predis-pose towards the development of AD have been studied intensely for three decades and several genes have been linked with AD (3–6). Early-onset, familial AD is rare (estimated prevalence
Biomol Concepts. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2016 September 23. Published in final edited form as: Biomol Concepts. 2016 August 1; 7(4): 241–252. doi:10.1515/bmc-2016-0014.
Alzheimer's disease: presence and role of microRNAs Manasa Basavaraju and Department of Biological Sciences, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT 06473, USA Alexandre de Lencastre* Department of Biological Sciences, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT 06473, USA
Author Manuscript
Abstract
Author Manuscript
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that accounts for the most cases of dementia. AD affects more than 25 million people globally and is predicted to affect nearly one in 85 people worldwide by 2050. AD is characterized by the accumulation of dense plaques of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau that cause impairment in memory, cognition, and daily activities. Although early-onset AD has been linked to several mutations, reliable genetic markers for late-onset AD are lacking. Further, the diagnosis of AD biomarkers has its limitations and cannot detect early-stage AD. The identification of accurate, early, and non-invasive biomarkers for AD is, therefore, an unmet challenge. Recently, micro-RNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as a novel class of gene regulatory elements with conserved roles in development and disease. Recent discoveries have uncovered roles of miRNAs in several model organisms during aging and have identified potential miRNAs biomarkers of AD. Here we will discuss this emerging field of miRNAs associated with AD and prospects for the future.
Keywords Alzheimer's disease; longevity; microRNAs; neurodegenerative diseases; stress
Introduction: Alzheimer's disease
Author Manuscript
Alzheimer's disease (AD) belongs in a class of incurable neurodegenerative diseases, such as Huntington's and Parkinson's, wherein proteotoxic aggregates accumulate with age, leading to progressive and widespread damage to the CNS and, ultimately, death (1). Although progress has been made in identifying genes associated with these devastating syndromes, the causes of these diseases are not well understood. AD is characterized by the formation of amyloid plaques, which are associated with the loss of neuronal function and neuronal cell death (2). The environmental or genetic factors that predis-pose towards the development of AD have been studied intensely for three decades and several genes have been linked with AD (3–6). Early-onset, familial AD is rare (estimated prevalence
