Background: SCRN-1 is a crucial neuronal protein for cell communication. Our group first described, through proteomic and immunohistochemistry studies, the specific co-localization of this protein with dystrophic neurites and neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but not in other tauopathies. Our goal in the current study is to validate SCRN1 as a novel biomarker for AD and assess the potential correlation between SCRN1, pTau181, and other biomarkers for AD.
Methods: We enrolled 139 patients at the NYU Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. CSF was collected from each patient following a minimum of 6 hours fast. The SCRN-1 levels were measured in the CSF of 101 patients using mass spectrometry. The level of pTau 181 was measured with the pTau181 V2.1 kit using Simoa HD-X technology.
Results: The analysis of 101 CSF samples from cognitively unimpaired participants (CDR=0), shows a strong association with CSF SCRN-1 (p<0.0001), with an additional effect of age (estimate=0.57, p<0.0001). Together, these predictors explained about 63% of the variability in the outcome (R²=0.57), including a robust relationship. We are currently conducting further analysis with other biomarkers for AD.
Conclusion: Strong correlation was detected between CSF SCRN-1 and pTau181. Correlations with other biomarkers will also be assessed and compared with CSF SCRN1 results. SCRN1 has the potential to become a key biomarker to identify patients who fulfill the criteria to be participants in clinical trials for AD therapeutics.