Biomarkers In Neurodegenerative Disorders: Focus on Global Communities with Disparities

Neurodegenerative diseases are witnessing a surge in prevalence, primarily driven by population aging, pressing the need for advancements in public health strategies. Early and accurate diagnosis of these diseases — including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other dementias and movement disorders — is crucial for better therapeutic management. Research into disease-modifying treatments is increasingly focused on diagnosis at earlier stages, with developed countries adopting fluid biomarkers (plasma and CSF) as practical alternatives to expensive molecular imaging. However, current research largely overlooks diverse racial and socio-economic groups, particularly those from underdeveloped countries and vulnerable communities, such as individuals with lower educational backgrounds, leading to a substantial gap in the universal applicability of research findings.This Research Topic aims to bridge this gap by expanding the knowledge of biomarker usage in neurodegenerative disease diagnosis and management within underdeveloped countries, spanning Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurodegenerative dementias and movement disorders. We aim to identify prevalent methodologies and clarify their primary applications, whether in research settings or clinical practice, and determine the scope of their use, from specialized neurodegenerative disease centers to primary care environments. This collection could also help inform possible cutoff points for biomarkers in populations poorly represented in large centers, as well as evaluating more accessible methods developed in underprivileged areas.To gather further insights into this critical area, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Evaluations of fluid and imaging biomarker accuracy in populations usually underrepresented in studies from developed countries, including minority and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups- Comparisons of plasma biomarkers to traditional CSF or imaging biomarkers in different medical settings, from primary care to tertiary care facilities- Studies comparing biomarker efficacy with standard clinical diagnoses, cognitive and motor assessments, and neuropsychological evaluations- Biomarkers for differential diagnosis between Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurodegenerative conditions- Research on the influence of physical activity on biomarker levels in neurodegenerative disease patients- Studies on this theme carried out in underdeveloped countriesIn pursuit of a comprehensive understanding, we particularly encourage submissions of longitudinal studies with control groups and high-quality systematic reviews that delve specifically into the use of biomarkers in our target demographics. However, well-structured cross-sectional studies will also be considered to contribute to this growing field.Disclaimer: Dr. Gustavo Alves is a speaker for Pfizer in relation to antibiotic therapy and a speaker for Sanofi in relation to drug Dipirona. Topic editors: Pedro Braga Neto, GUSTAVO Alves Andrade dos DOS SANTOS Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83919/biomarkers-in-neurodegenerative-disorders-focus-on-global-communities-with-disparities