The detection of microRNA associated with alzheimer's disease in biological fluids using next-generation sequencing technologies

Abstract

Diagnostic tools for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) currently involve subjective testing and specialized brain imaging techniques. While definitive diagnosis requires a pathological brain evaluation neurodegenerative changes are believed to begin years before the clinical presentation of cognitive decline. essential need for reliable biomarkers to aid in the early detection of disease in order to implement preventative microRNAs (miRNA) are small non-coding RNA species that are involved in post-transcriptional gene miRNAs have potential as diagnostic biomarkers as they are known to circulate and tissue specific profiles number of bodily fluids such as plasma, CSF and urine. Recent developments in deep sequencing technology approach to develop biomarker discovery pipelines in order to profile miRNA signatures in bodily fluids diseases. Here we review the potential use of miRNA deep sequencing in biomarker identification from biological translation into clinical practice. © 2013 Cheng, Quek, Sun, Bellingham and Hill.