Circulating nucleic acids in the plasma and serum as potential biomarkers in neurological disorders

Author(s)

D.C.F. Bruno ; A. Donatti ; M. Martin ; V.S. Almeida ; J.C. Geraldis ; F.S. Oliveira ; D.B. Dogini ; I. Lopes-Cendes

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research; v. 53, n. 10 2020-08-17.

Abstract

Neurological diseases are responsible for approximately 6.8 million deaths every year. They affect up to 1 billion people worldwide and cause significant disability and reduced quality of life. In most neurological disorders, the diagnosis can be challenging; it frequently requires long-term investigation. Thus, the discovery of better diagnostic methods to help in the accurate and fast diagnosis of neurological disorders is crucial. Circulating nucleic acids (CNAs) are defined as any type of DNA or RNA that is present in body biofluids. They can be found within extracellular vesicles or as cell-free DNA and RNA. Currently, CNAs are being explored as potential biomarkers for diseases because they can be obtained using non-invasive methods and may reflect unique characteristics of the biological processes involved in several diseases. CNAs can be especially useful as biomarkers for conditions that involve organs or structures that are difficult to assess, such as the central nervous system. This review presents a critical assessment of the most current literature about the use of plasma and serum CNAs as biomarkers for several aspects of neurological disorders: defining a diagnosis, establishing a prognosis, and monitoring the disease progression and response to therapy. We explored the biological origin, types, and general mechanisms involved in the generation of CNAs in physiological and pathological processes, with specific attention to neurological disorders. In addition, we present some of the future applications of CNAs as non-invasive biomarkers for these diseases. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/26172-0 - Searching for blood-based biomarkers to improve the current epilepsy diagnosis
• Grantee: Mariana Martin
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 15/25607-0 - Identification of Rare Genomic Variants and microRNAs expression patterns in stroke patients
• Grantee: Amanda Donatti
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 17/26167-0 - Detection of methylated circulating DNA as a non-invasive biomarker for the identification of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and ischemic stroke
• Grantee: Danielle do Carmo Ferreira Bruno
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 17/23954-0 - Methylation pattern of Genomic DNA in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy associated with hippocampal sclerosis
• Grantee: Jaqueline Cruz Geraldis
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 13/07559-3 - BRAINN - The Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology
• Grantee: Fernando Cendes
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
• FAPESP's process: 15/19768-1 - Searching for mutations associated with focal cortical dysplasia using genomic strategies
• Grantee: Vanessa Simão de Almeida
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate