Abstract: A method of identifying subjects having an increased risk of having or developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) or an Alzheimer's disease-related disorder (ARDR) is described. The method includes the steps of obtaining a saliva sample from the subject; isolating extracellular vesicles from the saliva sample; determining the level of a protein or a category of RNA present in the extracellular vesicles; comparing the level of the protein or category of RNA to a control level; and determining that the subject has an increased risk of having or developing AD or an ARDR if the protein or category of RNA level is altered relative to that of the control level. A method of evaluating treatment of AD or an ARDR in a subject receiving treatment for AD or an ARDR is also described.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods for producing differentiated hematopoietic cells, including macrophages, platelets, and granulocytes, by adding cytokines to cultured synchronized bone marrow stem cells at specific phases of the cell cycle. The invention further provides differentiated hematopoietic cells produced by the methods of the invention, as well as methods for treating and/or preventing cytopenic states using the differentiated hematopoietic cells produces according to the methods of the invention.