Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is for an in vitro cell-based assay for predicting the conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease in a patient who has received a diagnosis of MCI. The method comprises the following steps: a) culturing human hippocampal progenitor cells in a culture medium comprising serum, obtained from said patient, during a period of proliferation of said progenitor cells; b) subsequently culturing said hippocampal progenitor cells in a culture medium comprising serum, obtained from said patient, during a period of differentiation of said progenitor cells; c) determining the level of proliferation of said cultured progenitor cells; d) determining the average cell count of said cultured progenitor cells; and e) monitoring apoptotic cell death after differentiation of the proliferated hippocampal progenitor cells, wherein the outcomes of each of (c) to (e) are applied to a statistical analysis, the result of which is predictive of conversion from MCI to AD in the patient.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is for an in vitro cell-based assay for predicting the conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease in a patient who has received a diagnosis of MCI. The method comprises the following steps: a) culturing human hippocampal progenitor cells in a culture medium comprising serum, obtained from said patient, during a period of proliferation of said progenitor cells; b) subsequently culturing said hippocampal progenitor cells in a culture medium comprising serum, obtained from said patient, during a period of differentiation of said progenitor cells; c) determining the level of proliferation of said cultured progenitor cells; d) determining the average cell count of said cultured progenitor cells; and e) monitoring apoptotic cell death after differentiation of the proliferated hippocampal progenitor cells, wherein the outcomes of each of (c) to (e) are applied to a statistical analysis, the result of which is predictive of conversion from MCI to AD in the patient.

Abstract: In one aspect, described herein is a method for monitoring cognitive decline in a subject, the method comprising (i) determining a level of one or more Dickkopf (Dkk) proteins in a blood sample from the subject; and (ii) comparing the level of the Dkk protein(s) to a reference value; wherein an increased level of the Dkk protein(s) in the sample compared to the reference value is indicative of increased cognitive decline in the subject.

Abstract: Methods and compositions relating to Alzheimer's disease are provided. Specifically, proteins that are differentially expressed in the Alzheimer's disease state relative to their expression in the normal state are provided. Proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease are identified and described. Methods of diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease using the differentially expressed proteins are also provided, as are methods for the identification and therapeutic use of compounds for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Use of clusterin as a biomarker of Alzheimer's disease (AD), particularly methods and compositions for detection of clusterin in a biological sample and assessment of in vivo pathology, disease severity and rate of clinical progression in a subject having or suspected of having AD.

Abstract: Methods and compositions relating to Alzheimer's disease are provided. Specifically, proteins that are differentially expressed in the Alzheimer's disease state relative to their expression in the normal state are provided. Proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease are identified and described. Methods of diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease using the differentially expressed proteins are also provided, as are methods for the identification and therapeutic use of compounds for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: A test for diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease comprises measuring levels of GSK-3 in cells or body fluid in a sample taken from a human subject. The test provides a relatively noninvasive method of diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease, and may be useful in predicting which individuals with mild cognitive impairment will develop Alzheimer's Disease.

Abstract: Methods and compositions relating to Alzheimer's disease are provided. Specifically, proteins that are differentially expressed in the Alzheimer's disease state relative to their expression in the normal state are provided. Proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease are identified and described. Methods of diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease using the differentially expressed proteins are also provided, as are methods for the identification and therapeutic use of compounds for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to variants of the ADAM12 gene and the role these variants have to play in the diagnosis and treatment of a number of conditions including cancer, disorders of myogenesis, adipogenesis, cardiac hypertrophy and Alzheimer's disease, and in particular, Late Onset Alzheimer's Disease.