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Diagnostic value of fluid‐based non‐amyloid biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in a clinic‐based cohort from South Asia
Faheem Arshad, M. M. Samim, Paras Rohidas Borse, Ravi Girikematha Shankar, Rose Dawn Bharath, B. H. Gagantej, Pooja Mailankody, Subasree Ramakrishnan et al.. Alzheimer s & Dementia Diagnosis Assessment & Disease Monitoring, 2025-04-01
Topic: Amyloid, tau and blood-test diagnosis
Plain-language summary
Abstract INTRODUCTION The rising dementia burden and limited knowledge of fluid biomarkers in South Asians highlights this study's aim on evaluating their utility for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). METHODS Participants with ADRD were recruited from a cognitive disorders clinic in India. We performed cognitive assessments and severity evaluations using standard tests. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neurofilament light chain (NfL), total tau, and ubiquitin C‐terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) were quantified using a Simoa HD analyzer. RESULTS Among the 101 participants, serum GFAP and NfL levels were significantly greater in dementia participants ( n = 70) than controls. Serum biomarkers significantly correlated with their corresponding CSF levels. Significant correlations were noted for serum and CSF GFAP and NfL in Alzheimer's disease ( ρ = 0.492, 0.664) and between serum and CSF NfL in frontotemporal dementia ( ρ = 0.727). Serum GFAP, NfL, and UCHL1 demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve = 0.765–0.806). DISCUSSION Our results emphasize the role of fluid biomarkers in diagnosing dementia in low‐resource settings in South Asians. Highlights Serum glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels were significantly greater in patients with dementia than in healthy controls. Significant correlation was observed between the serum and cerebrospinal fluid levels of GFAP, NfL, and total tau independent of the baseline demographics or co‐morbidities, indicating their potential role in clinical practice. Serum biomarker levels were related to the severity of dementia. This is one of few studies on fluid‐based biomarkers in diverse cohorts with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in the South Asian cohort with limited resources.
What this study adds
Evidence grade: Moderate
The record lists 70 participants. In a clinic-based cohort in India, serum GFAP and NfL levels were higher in people with dementia than controls and showed high diagnostic accuracy. These biomarkers may aid diagnosis in low-resource settings, but the study does not test any treatment or prevention.
Taken from this record’s own fields, not from reading the paper. The grade is assigned from the abstract’s wording; what that means.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Arshad, F., Samim, M. M., Borse, P. R., Shankar, R. G., Bharath, R. D., Gagantej, B. H., et al. (2025). Diagnostic value of fluid‐based non‐amyloid biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in a clinic‐based cohort from South Asia. Alzheimer s & Dementia Diagnosis Assessment & Disease Monitoring. https://doi.org/10.1002/dad2.70129
Vancouver
Arshad F, Samim MM, Borse PR, Shankar RG, Bharath RD, Gagantej BH, et al. Diagnostic value of fluid‐based non‐amyloid biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in a clinic‐based cohort from South Asia. Alzheimer s & Dementia Diagnosis Assessment & Disease Monitoring. 2025. doi:10.1002/dad2.70129. PMID: 40438038.
BibTeX
@article{arshad2025-40438038,
author = {Arshad, Faheem and Samim, M. M. and Borse, Paras Rohidas and Shankar, Ravi Girikematha and Bharath, Rose Dawn and Gagantej, B. H. and Mailankody, Pooja and Ramakrishnan, Subasree and others},
title = {{Diagnostic value of fluid‐based non‐amyloid biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in a clinic‐based cohort from South Asia}},
journal = {Alzheimer s \& Dementia Diagnosis Assessment \& Disease Monitoring},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1002/dad2.70129},
pmid = {40438038},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/dad2.70129}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. The record's author list ends in “et al.”, so not every author is named. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- RESULTS Among the 101 participants, serum GFAP and NfL levels were significantly greater in dementia participants ( n = 70) than controls.
- Serum biomarkers significantly correlated with their corresponding CSF levels.
- Significant correlations were noted for serum and CSF GFAP and NfL in Alzheimer's disease ( ρ = 0.492, 0.664) and between serum and CSF NfL in frontotemporal dementia ( ρ = 0.727).
- Serum GFAP, NfL, and UCHL1 demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve = 0.765–0.806).
- DISCUSSION Our results emphasize the role of fluid biomarkers in diagnosing dementia in low‐resource settings in South Asians.
Why it matters
In a clinic-based cohort in India, serum GFAP and NfL levels were higher in people with dementia than controls and showed high diagnostic accuracy. These biomarkers may aid diagnosis in low-resource settings, but the study does not test any treatment or prevention.
New to this subject? Start with our plain-English guide: Getting a diagnosis →
Study details
- Participants70
- Evidence strengthModerate
How this study scored 41/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, effect reported and randomized / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Alzheimer s & Dementia Diagnosis Assessment & Disease Monitoring) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Alzheimer s & Dementia Diagnosis Assessment & Disease Monitoring: journal h-index 86 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 3 / 5 | Rated “moderate” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 1 / 4 | 70 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomized / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomization or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 3 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 1 / 5 | 1.0 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 1.9× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 2 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 3 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Suvarna Alladi: h-index 39 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences: institution h-index 225 (OpenAlex) |
| Multicenter collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40438038) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 41 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1002/dad2.70129
- PubMed: 40438038
- Original source →
- Free full text: Alzheimer s & Dementia Diagnosis Assessment & Disease Monitoring →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
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