Title:Plasma Biomarkers in Neurodegenerative Dementias: Unrevealing the
Potential of Serum Oxytocin, BDNF, NPTX1, TREM2, TNF-alpha, IL-1
and Prolactin
Volume: 21
Issue: 2
Author(s): Yeşim Olğun*, Cana Aksoy Poyraz, Melda Bozluolçay, Dildar Konukoğlu and Burç Çağrı Poyraz
Affiliation:
- Department of Psychiatry, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey
Keywords:
Alzheimer's disease, BDNF, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia, IL-1, NPTX1, oxytocin, prolactin, serum biomarker, TREM2, TNF-alpha.
Abstract:
Background: Dementia encompasses a range of neurodegenerative disorders characterized
by cognitive decline and functional impairment. The identification of reliable biomarkers is
essential for accurate diagnosis and gaining insights into the mechanisms underlying diseases.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the plasma biomarker profiles associated with Brain-
Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Oxytocin, Neuronal Pentraxin-1 (NPTX1), Triggering Receptor
Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2 (TREM2), Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), Interleukin-
1 (IL-1) and Prolactin in Alzheimer's disease (AD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB),
frontotemporal dementias (FTD) and healthy controls.
Methods: Serum levels of the aforementioned biomarkers were analyzed in 23 AD, 28 DLB, 15
FTD patients recruited from outpatient units and 22 healthy controls. Diagnostic evaluations followed
established criteria and standardized clinical tests were conducted. Blood samples were collected
and analyzed using ELISA and electrochemiluminescence immunoassay methods.
Results: Serum BDNF and oxytocin levels did not significantly differ across groups. NPTX1,
TREM2, TNF-alpha and IL-1 levels also did not show significant differences among dementia
groups. However, prolactin levels exhibited distinct patterns, with lower levels in male DLB patients
and higher levels in female AD patients compared to controls.
Conclusion: The study findings suggest potential shared mechanisms in dementia pathophysiology
and highlight the importance of exploring neuroendocrine responses, particularly in AD and
DLB. However, further research is warranted to elucidate the role of these biomarkers in dementia
diagnosis and disease progression.
