New Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease Detection Revealed

Strategic Insights -

Recent research from the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology in Aichi, Japan, has identified two new phospho-tau biomarkers, p-tau217 and p-tau181, which show promise in detecting Alzheimer's disease (AD) in its preclinical stages. The study, published in Cell Reports, found that p-tau217 is a sensitive plasma biomarker for cerebral amyloid D (AD) load, while p-tau181 is a cerebrospinal fluid biomarker for AD. The researchers discovered that p-tau217 emerges in synapses around AD plaques in preclinical AD brains, indicating a neuronal/synaptic reaction to the disease.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study identified two new phospho-tau biomarkers, p-tau217 and p-tau181, which show potential in detecting AD in its preclinical stages.
  • P-tau217 is a sensitive plasma biomarker for cerebral amyloid D (AD) load, while p-tau181 is a cerebrospinal fluid biomarker for AD.
  • The researchers found that p-tau217 emerges in synapses around AD plaques in preclinical AD brains, indicating a neuronal/synaptic reaction to the disease.
  • The study suggests that the use of these biomarkers requires neuropathological interpretation for diagnostic and prognostic purposes.
  • The researchers analyzed the cellular localization of biomarker p-tau species in postmortem human brains harboring different extents of AD plaque and tau pathology.
  • The study provides new insights into the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease and the potential for early detection and intervention.

Statistics:

  • 44(9) is the volume and issue number of the Cell Reports journal where the study was published.
  • The study was supported by the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology's Joint Research of the Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS).
  • The paper's authors include Michiko Sekiya, Yu Hirota, Yasufumi Sakakibara, Koichi M. Iijima, Maho Morishima, Manato Hara, Akira Arakawa, Shigeo Murayama, Yuko Saito, Terunori Sano, and Masaki Takao.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. New Findings in Alzheimer Disease Described from National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology (Biomarker-related Phospho-tau217 Appears In Synapses Around Ad Plaques Prior To Tau Tangle In Cerebral Cortex of Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease). Health & Medicine Week. October 31, 2025; p 3290.
  • Cell Reports. Biomarker-related Phospho-tau217 Appears In Synapses Around Ad Plaques Prior To Tau Tangle In Cerebral Cortex of Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease. 2025;44(9).