title: Molecular markers of neuropsychological functioning and Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The current project sought to examine molecular markers of neuropsychological functioning among elders with and without Alzheimer's disease (AD) and determine the predictive ability of combined molecular markers and select neuropsychological tests in detecting disease presence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were analyzed from 300 participants (n = 150, AD and n = 150, controls) enrolled in the Texas Alzheimer's Research and Care Consortium. Linear regression models were created to examine the link between the top five molecular markers from our AD blood profile and neuropsychological test scores. Logistical regressions were used to predict AD presence using serum biomarkers in combination with select neuropsychological measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using the neuropsychological test with the least amount of variance overlap with the molecular markers, the combined neuropsychological test and molecular markers was highly accurate in detecting AD presence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This work provides the foundation for the generation of a point-of-care device that can be used to screen for AD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Valerie Hobson
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Balldin
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA; Institute for Aging & Alzheimer's Disease Research, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: Institute for Aging & Alzheimer's Disease Research, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Sid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: O'Bryant
keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Biomarkers; Diagnosis; Verbal fluency