Validation of Possible Blood Serum Biomarkers Linked to Genetic Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

Authors

Jesse Cobell, Brigham Young University
Dr. John Kauwe, Brigham Young University

Keywords

blood serum biomarkers, genetic risk, Alzheimer's disease

College

Life Sciences

Department

Biology

Abstract

In 2011, the Alzheimer’s Association released in their annual facts and figures that 5.4 million people suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and is the only disease in the top ten that cannot be prevented or cured. The report explains that diagnosis is a significant difficulty and emphasizes the importance of identifying another method such as serum biomarkers to use in the diagnosis of the disease (Alzheimer’s Association). The ability to diagnose early or detect risk factors before onset would make an enormous impact on management of the disease for patients and family members. It would also allow doctors to provide improved care and researchers an opportunity to develop drugs or therapies that target the specific proteins discovered in these experiments.

Recommended Citation

Cobell, Jesse and Kauwe, Dr. John (2013) "Validation of Possible Blood Serum Biomarkers Linked to Genetic Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 1127.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1127