Biomarkers Discovery

The Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center launched a new Biomarkers Discovery program in 2008, dedicated to discovering and validating biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases. The discovery of reliable biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases would be a major accomplishment!

Recent progress reported by Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center members suggests that Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease provide particularly promising targets for biomarker discovery. Thus, the identification of biomarkers for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's are our initial focus. Starting with blood plasma and cerebral spinal fluid samples from patients, we are undertaking a detailed assessment of proteins found in these samples and comparing them to carefully selected control samples. When a promising "signal" is identified (e.g., a protein that is present in the patients' sample but not in the controls), we identify its cause and confirm its value in a large patient population.  

The Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center — along with its diverse membership of leading scientists — is uniquely qualified to launch and manage this important new Biomarkers Discovery initiative. For example, the quality of the data obtained for this program largely depends on the quality of the sample used. NeuroDiscovery Center expertise in sample preparation is crucial to ensure that only high quality, well prepared plasma and cerebral spinal fluid samples are used. Similarly, our members include experts in the clinical and biomedical characteristics of Parkinson's disease, as well as Alzheimer's, MS, ALS, and other neurodegenerative diseases. We also have the requisite biostatistical expertise to establish the statistical value of emerging biomarkers.