Abstract: A system and method may be provided to receive sample RNA reads from patients and generate lists of genes and their associated RNA expression levels in each patient. Some of the RNA reads may be matched to an RNA transcript or gene or gene family in terms of their match likelihood and other RNA reads may be matched to an RNA transcript or gene or gene family through the use of one or more machine learning classifiers. A machine learning classifier may be trained based on the plurality of the lists and a plurality of corresponding patients' clinical status data to identify gene patterns that recur with a high degree of frequency in the plurality of the lists. Those gene patterns can be capable of modifying a disease or treatment response and can be targeted for drug/treatment development.

Abstract: Methods of detecting, preventing, treating, controlling or managing progressive neurodegenerative diseases are provided. These methods comprise the administration of antibodies that reduce or eliminate monocytes that abnormally express Astrotactin (ASTN1), or block blood monocytes that abnormally express ASTN1 from migrating to the central nervous system. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions that comprise antibodies that specifically target the extracellular domain (ECD2) of ASTN1 for the prevention, treatment, control or management of progressive neurodegenerative diseases.