| 摘要 |
The present invention relates to methods for the prognosis, diagnosis, and staging of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), and to methods for monitoring response to therapy in a patient with AD. The methods of the invention involve the measurement of the levels in a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the SIMILAR 25 kDa, SIMILAR 105 kDa, and SIMILAR 125 kDa soluble derivatives of the beta amyloid protein precursor ( beta APP). In specific embodiments, detection of an increase in the percentage amount of the SIMILAR 25 kDa protein and/or decrease in the percentage amount of the SIMILAR 105 kDa derivative and/or high absolute levels of all three soluble beta APP derivatives, relative to healthy individuals, can be used to diagnose or prognose AD. The foregoing can also be used to diagnose Down's syndrome, to prognose disorders in Down's syndrome patients associated with amyloid deposition, and as an indication of neurologic aging. In other embodiments, determination of the percentage amounts of the SIMILAR 25 kDa protein and/or the SIMILAR 105 kDa protein relative to such amount present prior to therapy or in healthy individuals can be deemed a poor response to therapy of AD. The invention is also directed to the soluble SIMILAR 25 kDa amino-terminal form of the beta APP. |
