A blood test measures TDP-43 activity in ALS
Original source
Functional Activity of TDP-43: A Direct Biomarker for ALS. (opens in a new tab)Compass summarised this from the study's abstract.
Study details
- Studied in
- Human
Related topics
Researchers developed a serum test that measures the RNA-binding activity of TDP-43, a protein affected in ALS. In 1,080 samples, activity was higher on average in people with ALS than in controls, with moderate accuracy in distinguishing the groups. The test is an early proof of concept and is not yet validated for individual diagnosis or routine monitoring.
Why this matters
A direct measure of TDP-43 activity could support future research into ALS subtypes and disease progression. However, this study does not show that the test can guide treatment or reliably diagnose or monitor individual patients yet.
Limitations and context
The study was cross-sectional for its main comparison, and individual diagnostic performance still requires prospective validation. The longitudinal association with ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised scores was modest and was not statistically significant in some cohorts. The researchers also suggest that the serum signal may reflect TDP-43 released during cell death rather than restored activity inside nerve cells.