The plasma miRNAome in ADNI: Signatures to aid the detection of at-risk individuals.

INTRODUCTION MicroRNAs are short non-coding RNAs that control proteostasis at the systems level and are emerging as potential prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS We performed small RNA sequencing on plasma samples from 847 Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) participants. RESULTS We identified microRNA signatures that correlate with AD diagnoses and help predict the conversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to AD. DISCUSSION Our data demonstrate that plasma microRNA signatures can be used to not only diagnose MCI, but also, critically, predict the conversion from MCI to AD. Moreover, combined with neuropsychological testing, plasma microRNAome evaluation helps predict MCI to AD conversion. These findings are of considerable public interest because they provide a path toward reducing indiscriminate utilization of costly and invasive testing by defining the at-risk segment of the aging population. HIGHLIGHTS We provide the first analysis of the plasma microRNAome for the ADNI study. The levels of several microRNAs can be used as biomarkers for the prediction of conversion from MCI to AD. Adding the evaluation of plasma microRNA levels to neuropsychological testing in a clinical setting increases the accuracy of MCI to AD conversion prediction.