Evaluation of platelet ADAM10 in non-Alzheimer's dementias

Abstract

Dementia is characterized by progressive and global loss of cognitive function to the point of interfering in social and occupational activities of the individual, with dementia of Alzheimer's disease (AD) as a major example. Dementia affects about 5% of the population over 65 and the number becomes more significant after 75 years. Studies suggest that ADAM10 platelet levels in patients with AD are reduced in comparison to healthy individuals, however there is no comparisons of the expression and activity of this protein in other dementias. By comparing such levels, it would be possible to point out if ADAM10 is a specific biomarker for AD, or would also be altered in other dementias. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the expression and activity of platelet ADAM10 in dementia on type non-Alzheimer's: frontotemporal, vascular, Lewy and Parkinson's disease. This is a multicenter study with collaboration of four groups: Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology UFSCar (ANEU-UFSCar), Department of Clinical Medicine - UFMG, Department of Psychiatry - USP and Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences - FMRP. Participants will be divided into groups according to the type of dementia. Neuropsychological tests for cognitive assessment will be applied in all subjects. This study starts from the hypothesis that the levels and activity of ADAM10 are not changed in other dementias, making ADAM10 a specific biomarker molecule for AD. Peripheral blood colletion followed by protein analysis by Western blotting and fluorescence measured by peptide-specific cleavage activity assays will be performed. The data will be entered into a database to perform descriptive statistical analysis, chi-square test of Pearson, Kruskal-Wallis test followed by post-hoc test and the Mann-Whitney test considering statistical significance level of 5 % (p <0.05). (AU)