Blood TRPC6 mRNA as a biomarker for Alzheimer's disease: a nationwide, multicenter study in China
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Accessible blood-based biomarkers remain needed for Alzheimer's disease (AD) screening and diagnosis. We investigated whether blood transient receptor potential canonical 6 (TRPC6) could serve as a potential biomarker for AD. METHODS: We enrolled 1254 individuals, including 366 patients with AD, 735 cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals, and 153 individuals with non-AD neurological disorders. All patients with AD were confirmed to be amyloid beta positive (Aβ+) by Aβ positron emission tomography (PET). Blood TRPC6 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were measured in all participants. In a subset, Aβ PET imaging and plasma biomarker assessments were performed. RESULTS: Blood TRPC6 mRNA levels differed significantly among the CU, AD, and non-AD groups, with the lowest levels observed in patients with AD. TRPC6 mRNA levels were associated with regional Aβ deposition and showed diagnostic performance comparable to several established plasma biomarkers, although slightly inferior to phosphorylated tau 217. DISCUSSION: Blood TRPC6 mRNA is markedly reduced in AD and may represent an accessible and clinically relevant blood biomarker for AD.
DOI: 10.1002/dad2.70433
Institutions: Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Frontiers Center for Brain Science of the Ministry of Education, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Ruijin Hospital, Zhongshan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, Shanghai Mental Health Center, University of Science and Technology of China
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,540
OpenAlex ID: W7225381227