Plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein is raised in progranulin-associated frontotemporal dementia
Publication: Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry
Carolin Heller, Martha S Foiani, Katrina Moore, Rhian Convery, Martina Bocchetta, Mollie Neason, David M Cash, David Thomas, Caroline V Greaves, Ione OC Woollacott, Rachelle Shafei, John C Van Swieten, Fermin Moreno, Raquel Sanchez-Valle, Barbara Borroni, Robert Laforce Jr, Mario Masellis, Maria Carmela Tartaglia, Caroline Graff, Daniela Galimberti, James B Rowe et al
14 January 2020
There are few validated fluid biomarkers in frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a measure of astrogliosis, a known pathological process of FTD, but has yet to be explored as potential biomarker.
In this research, the team found out that plasma GFAP concentration was significantly increased in symptomatic GRN mutation carriers.
Raised GFAP concentrations appear to be unique to GRN-related FTD, with levels potentially increasing just prior to symptom onset, suggesting that GFAP may be an important marker of proximity to onset, and helpful for forthcoming therapeutic prevention trials.
