High Sensitivity Immunoassays in Neuroscience

Blood-based neuroscience biomarkers give researchers less invasive sample options through plasma/serum samples when compared to cerebrospinal fluid samples. High sensitivity immunoassays, such as Single Molecule Counting (SMC^®) assays, give researchers the tools they need to detect low-abundant blood-based biomarkers and expand biomarker options in neuroscience research.

Neuroscience Biomarkers

Neuroscience biomarkers give researchers insights into various neurological diseases. Novel biomarkers for neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases can help with early detection and research on possible therapeutics for early intervention. This includes research on Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, neuroplasticity, Huntington’s disease, and more.

Examples of neuroscience biomarkers include:

• Amyloid beta
• Tau protein (total tau and phospho-tau (T181))
• Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
• Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)
• Neurofilament light chain (NF-L)
• Neuronal pentraxin II (NPTX2)
• TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43)
• Synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP-25)

Analyzing Biomarkers in Neuroscience Research

Historically, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers have been analyzed for their ability to reproducibly distinguish normal and diseased samples in neuroscience research. Recently, researchers have started to implement blood biomarker analysis due to the ease of accessing serum and plasma samples relative to CSF. The popularity of blood-based neuroscience biomarkers has caused ongoing research efforts for novel candidates. However, this search may be limited by standard immunoassays and the lower abundance of these proteins in circulation.

High Sensitivity Immunoassays Enable Measurement of Blood-Based Biomarkers

Because blood-based neuroscience biomarkers are found in low abundance, high sensitivity immunoassays enable their measurement. Ultrasensitive immunoassay technologies, such as Single Molecule Counting (SMC^®) technology, can transform neurological research by enabling the measurement of low-abundant proteins in a variety of biofluids such as:

• Serum
• Plasma
• CSF

Researchers can harness low-abundant protein analysis offered by ultrasensitive SMC^® technology to study blood-based biomarkers, as well as profile subtle changes in expression from health to disease.

Learn more about how SMC^® high sensitivity immunoassays were combined with multiplexing immunoassays for analyzing biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease research.

For Research Use Only. Not For Use In Diagnostic Procedures.

Watch the webinars below to see how SMC^® technology is being used in neuroscience research. 

Related Webinars 

• Opportunities and Challenges of Blood-Based Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease
  
• Detecting Low-Abundant Neurofilament Light Chain
• High-Sensitivity Immunoassays for Biomarkers of Huntington’s Disease
• Quantification of Mutant and Total Huntington Protein Levels