Biomarkers in Fluids and Translational Neurology Research Group
The main goal of the Fluid Biomarkers and Translational Neurology Research Group is to better understand the biological basis of Alzheimer’s and other age-related neurodegenerative diseases, particularly during the early stages. The group has a strong translational focus and conducts research to develop, identify and validate biomarkers to improve the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, discover new therapeutic targets, and investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying these diseases. Its multidisciplinary team, composed of researchers with diverse backgrounds, including clinical neurology, biochemistry, proteomics, bioinformatics, biostatistics and neuropsychology, enables the identification of clinical problems and patients’ needs at the bedside, and conducts basic science research at the bench to answer clinically relevant questions.
Research lines
The HeBe project (ERC Starting Grant)
HeBe aims to identify blood factors that have a rejuvenating or aging effect on the human brain. If their presence is confirmed, the results will improve the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other neurodegenerative diseases in its earlier stages, and, will be also useful to detect individuals who are more susceptible to developing the disease, predict their prognosis, monitor disease progression and treatment effectiveness, or be used as surrogate markers in clinical trials. This project receives funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant agreement No. 948677).
Development of novel biomarkers to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease
Within this line, the group works to develop, validate and implement novel fluid biomarkers that will improve the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, or other neurodegenerative diseases, in its earlier stages. These biomarkers will also be useful to detect individuals who are more susceptible to developing the disease, predict their prognosis, monitor disease progression and treatment effectiveness, or be used as surrogate markers in clinical trials.
Clinical implementation of blood biomarkers
The Fluid Biomarkers and Translational Neurology Research Group works to improve blood biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease and test their implementation in the clinical setting. In this regard, the group makes use of two studies:
- The Beta-AARC study, to assess whether Alzheimer’s blood-based biomarkers can indicate Alzheimer’s pathology in individuals with subjective memory complaints that seek care from their primary care physician or general neurologist, and to determine whether these blood biomarkers can be implemented in the current diagnostic work-up to improve patient management.
- The PLASMAR study, to determine whether blood biomarkers have an impact in the management of patients presenting with cognitive complaints in the specialized Cognitive Disorders Unit of Hospital del Mar.
