Monitoring: plasma Flashcards
Why are biomarkers needed for drug development?
- To include the right patients in the preclinical phase
- To make sure there is target engagement
- To monitor side effects
- To measure outcomes in the preclinical phase.
What are the pros and cons of looking at the CSF?
A very specific diagnosis can be made when we look into the CSF, but we really want blood-based biomarkers. This is because they allow you to monitor frequently as it is less invasive.
What is neurofilament light and how is it of use in neurological diseases?
It is a neuron-specific protein that is released after axonal injury. With new ultrasensitive technologies, it is also measurable in the small concentrations in the blood instead of only the high concentrations in CSF. NFL is increased in many neurological diseases (only no good diagnostic value in MS).
It is the pioneering biomarker for neurological diseases.
What is Simoa?
It is a sandwich ELISA but with beads. The primary antibody is stuck to a bead with its Fc tail and binds to the antigen. The secondary antibody also binds to the antigen and is coupled to an enzyme that can change the substrate (for detection).
Simoa gives a fluorescent signal when the antigen is captured. There is one bead per chamber, which makes it a digital signal (0 or 1).
What are Alzheimer CSF biomarkers and what can they be used for?
They can now be used for diagnosis! An increase in Tau (tangle) and decrease in amyloid beta (plaque) can be used for diagnosis in combination with PET.
