title: Role of progranulin as a biomarker for Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: Serum or plasma progranulin (GRN) is a highly accurate of GRN-related frontotemporal lobar degeneration, which is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the GRN gene. Both null mutations and missense mutations in GRN have also been observed in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Here, the evidence for a role of circulating GRN as a biochemical biomarker in neurodegeneration is reviewed, with a specific focus on its relevance in Alzheimer's disease. We conclude that circulating GRN is a promising, nonintrusive biomarker that warrants screening in both patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type and people with mild cognitive impairment; specifically for, but not limited to, those that have a positive family history of neurodegenerative disease. Once a cure for GRN-related neurodegeneration becomes available, this biomarker will be an important tool in the effort to personalize treatment of dementia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Genetics, CIB, Antwerpen Belgium.
authors.forename: Kristel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sleegers
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brouwers
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Van Broeckhoven
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D057174:Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009154:Mutation; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D000077153:Progranulins
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C492314:GRN protein, human; D005819:Genetic Markers; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D000077153:Progranulins