Abstract
BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive loss of cognitive abilities. Epigenetic modification, oxidative stress, and inflammation play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. We aimed to detect noninvasive peripheral biomarkers with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis and progression of AD. METHODS: A total of 25 elderly patients with AD and 25 healthy control participants were selected and subjected to cognitive assessment and laboratory measures including histone deacetylases (HDACs), copper, and interleukin 8 (IL-8) levels. RESULTS: The levels of HDACs, copper, and IL-8 were significantly higher in patients with AD (P < .001) and had a significant negative effect on all cognitive assessment tests. Receiver-operating curve (ROC) analysis revealed that HDACs and copper levels had higher sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma levels of HDACs and copper may be used as peripheral biomarkers in diagnosis of AD, while IL-8 level could be a useful biomarker in following AD progression.