miR-342-5p/AnkG Pathway in Early AD Synaptic Dysfunction

Effects of miR-342-5p/AnkG Pathway-Mediated Axon Initial Segment Filtering Injury on Early Synaptic Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease and Its Clinical Applications

Alzheimer's disease is the most common memory loss disease among the elderly. This disease affects the patient's memory, language, attention, and behavioral abilities. Current research has found that in the early stages of the disease, synaptic connections between brain nerve cells become abnormal, but the specific cause is still unclear. Investigators' previous research discovered that in the brains of diseased mice, certain special substances (the miR 342 5p/AnkG-mediated pathway) might be related to this abnormality, and these substances can be detected in both blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Therefore, investigators want to further explore the specific mechanisms of abnormal nerve cell connections, seek biomarkers for early detection of the disease, and provide new ideas for early diagnosis in the future.

Inclusion Criteria:

Inclusion criteria for AD group:

1. Meet the diagnostic criteria for "probable AD dementia" established by the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke and the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association (NINCDS-ADRDA)
2. MMSE score between 0-23 points, Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score ≥0.5 points, Hachinski Ischemic Score <4 points
3. Brain MRI showing bilateral temporal lobe and hippocampal atrophy
4. Age ≥50 years

Inclusion criteria for control group:

1. Healthy subjects with age matched to the AD group
2. Normal cognitive function and good activities of daily living
3. No dementia patients among first-degree relatives
4. Negative brain MRI and neurological examination

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Dementia or cognitive impairment caused by other diseases
2. History of substance abuse
3. Progressive primary aphasia
4. Previous traumatic brain injury
5. Patients with comorbid depression, schizophrenia, or severe diseases of the cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, or hematological systems
6. Impaired consciousness and inability to cooperate
7. Other conditions unsuitable for inclusion