Epigenetic biomarkers in neurodegenerative diseases: from molecular signatures to therapeutic targets
Blood-based epigenetic markers show promise for earlier detection and monitoring of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, mirroring cancer's diagnostic progress.
This Trends in Neurosciences review synthesizes current evidence for epigenetic biomarkers — particularly DNA methylation and chromatin accessibility changes — as diagnostic and prognostic tools in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. It draws lessons from cancer epigenetics (a more mature field) to argue for accelerated implementation of cfDNA-based neurodegenerative disease monitoring.
What the study was
- Study design
- Narrative/systematic review
- Population
- Patients with neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's)
- Category
- Diagnostics
- Maturity
- Exploratory
- Journal
- Trends in Neurosciences
Why it surfaced
High-impact review journal (Trends in Neurosciences); draws direct parallels between cancer cfDNA liquid biopsy and neurodegenerative biomarker development — tangentially relevant to liquid biopsy watchlist topic.
A plain-language summary of published research — not medical advice. Talk to a clinician about your own care.