Blood cell markers in Alzheimer Disease: Amyloid Precursor Protein form ratio in platelets.

A correct clinical diagnosis in the early stage of Alzheimer Disease (AD) is mandatory given the current available treatment with acetylcholine esterase inhibitors. Moreover, a early to preclinical diagnosis would allow to identify patients eligible for future disease-modifying therapies. In the last ten years, we have focused our attention on peripheral markers, evaluating the role of platelet Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) forms as a reliable tool for AD diagnosis since preclinical stages. APP is the key player in AD pathogenesis, and platelets contain all the enzymatic machinery to its processing, thus being the ideal candidate where to study AD pathogenetic mechanisms. In this review, we summarise the published data regarding the usefulness of platelet APP form ratio in the diagnosis of early AD. Approaches combining APP form ratio along with neuroimaging markers show the promise to accurately identify AD, even in the pre-symptomatic stage. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.