Methods and kits for the differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease versus frontotemporal dementia and for the diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia, comprising FAS-L and CK 18 as biomarkers

摘要

The invention relates to methods and kits for the differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) versus frontotemporal dementia (FTD), using biomarkers TNF-α, FAS-L and CK18, taken from a biological sample. Differences in biomarker levels can be used to distinguish between AD and FTD The invention is based on a discovered correlation between FTD and markers FAS-L and CK18. Therefore the invention also relates to the diagnosis of FTD using FAS-L and CK18. The serum concentrations of these biomarkers can further be used as an index of the severity of disease, and may occur in conjunction with clinical-based diagnostic testing and neuro-imaging assessment.

主权项

1. A diagnostic kit for determining a differential diagnosis in a non-invasive manner in an individual of Alzheimer's disease (AD) versus frontotemporal dementia (FTD) consisting of:
a) reagents specific for TNF-α, FAS-L, and caspase-cleaved CK18, b) instructions for use of the reagents to determine levels of said TNF-α, FAS-L, and caspase-cleaved CK18 in biological samples obtained from such individual, c) optionally, a reference substance for each of said TNF-α, FAS-L, and caspase-cleaved CK18 for normalizing data, and d) an information sheet for comparing measured levels of said TNF-α, FAS-L, and caspase-cleaved CK18 to reference levels for each of said TNF-α, FAS-L, and caspase-cleaved CK18 to determine whether said individual is suffering from AD or FTD, and/or e) an information sheet for comparing the levels of TNF-α, FAS-L and caspase-cleaved CK18 to reference levels for each of said TNF-α, FAS-L and caspase-cleaved CK18 relating to severity of AD or FTD to determine the severity of AD or FTD in said individual.