Biomarker Core

Columbia University Health Sciences, New York NY

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

BIOMARKER CORE SUMMARY Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and now, blood, allow operational measurement of amyloid, tau, and neurodegeneration (ATN), the major pathophysiological changes that define Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Moreover, improved instrumentation and advancements in analytic approaches applied to biofluidic samples and neuroimaging data both enable and necessitate the development, refinement, and discovery of novel biomarkers. Over the past 4 years, the Columbia ADRC has established a new, fully functional Biomarker Core that has been successful in 1) banking and distributing fluid and neuroimaging biomarker data; 2) quantitating biofluid and neuroimaging biomarkers; 3) initializing development and implementation of fluid biomarkers for endosomal trafficking and immune response pathways; 3) advancing cerebrovascular, inflammatory, and artificial intelligence neuroimaging tools; 4) providing intellectual and infrastructural support for local investigators; and 5) training the next generation of scientists. In the next cycle, informed by the ADRC’s overall and thematic goals, the Biomarker Core proposes to continue to interact with all components of the ADRC to build on this very strong foundation and evolve its mission in new directions: 1) expanding focus from CSF-based to also include plasma-based fluid markers; 2) optimizing biomarker implementation and deployment for the Center’s thematic biological pathways, with the ultimate goal of incorporating them into clinical trials; 3) formally integrating PET neuroimaging; and 4) enhancing our leadership in biomarker implementation among diverse populations. The Biomarker Core will continue to collect, store, track, share, and analyze fluidic and neuroimaging biomarkers and participate in major national and international initiatives. The success of the Biomarker Core will ultimately lead to greater insight into the pathogenesis of ADRD, heterogeneity in disease presentation, and novel treatment avenues. The aims of the Core are to harmonize, bank, and disseminate fluid and neuroimaging biomarkers in diverse participants; optimize and quantitate from biofluids, amyloid and tau PET, and MRI scans according to the amyloid, tau, neurodegeneration (ATN) framework; develop and implement biomarkers of immune response, endosomal trafficking, and vascular pathways; lead efforts related to implementation of biomarkers in diverse populations and provide support to investigators interested in biomarkers; and provide training to the next generation of scientists interested in Alzheimer’s-related biomarkers.