0-TESTO COMPLETO.pdf - Fondazione Santa Lucia

RF07.39.1 – Genetic risk factors and peripheral biological markers of conversion from Mild…
b) validate recently recognized genetic and biochemical markers, and
c) identify new diagnostic biomarkers for incipient AD.
Study a) – corresponding to WP1 – will be carried out in the first 6
months, and the relevant protocol will be made immediate-ly available to all
Alzheimer Centers through the National Health Service (NHS).
Studies b) and c) – corresponding to WP2 and WP3 – will lead to the identification
and/or validation of additional markers that, in combination with
those currently used, will increase the diagnostic/prognostic power of the basic
protocol a). Based on these results, we will elaborate an integrated, multivariate
molecular protocol for the diagnosis of incipient AD that will enable to distinguish
the MCI patients who will develop the disease from those who will not convert
into AD. This “ second generation “ protocol will be available by the end of
the program and, together with the data derived from the other three projects,
will define the optimal pathway for AD diagnosis to be transferred to the NHS.
An early and specific diagnosis of AD will allow to apply intervention
strategies before severe and irreversible neuropathological changes have
occurred. This will maximize the benefits of the current treatments and, most
importantly, of the disease-modifying therapies that are under development or
on clinical trial (e.g., passive immunization with anti-Ab antibodies). Thus, the
results of the program will have a significant impact on patients, care givers
and the NHS
OUTPUT(S) OF THE PROJECT
The main outputs of the project will be:
A. Standard Operating Procedures for Ab42, total tau and phospho-tau
determination in CSF, and their transfer to the NHS (month 6).
B. Reports on diagnostic and prognostic effectiveness of recently recognized
genetic and biochemical (CSF and plasma) mar kers and novel biomarkers
for AD (months 12 and 18).
C. Multivariate molecular protocol for the diagnosis of incipient AD and
the prediction of MCI to AD conversion, and its transfer to the Alzheimer Centers
of the NHS (month 21).
D. Multi-factorial protocol comprising molecular, imaging, neurophysiological,
neuropsychological and behavioral data for the diagnosis of prodromal
or incipient AD (month 24).
These results will increase the diagnostic and prognostic accuracy in early
stages of AD, and define the genetic and biochemical profiles that are predictive
for MCI to AD conversion, allowing an early preventive, therapeutic and
rehabilitative intervention.
Moreover, the results of this study will help to better understand the
pathogenesis of AD and identify new therapeutic targets.
Further outputs will be:
1) Publication of significant data on scientific journal with high impact
factor.
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