The Fluid Biomarker Core of the New Mexico Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center uses highly sensitive protein‑measurement technologies to identify individuals at risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias using blood samples. By reducing reliance on cerebrospinal fluid collection and positron emission tomography (PET) scans, this approach expands access to early detection tools, particularly in medically underserved and rural communities across New Mexico.
During this phase of the Center, the Fluid Biomarker Core will determine which blood‑based biomarkers are most effective for identifying individuals at risk for dementia, improving diagnostic classification, and detecting early‑stage disease. These efforts will help identify individuals who may be eligible for future prevention or treatment trials.
Biomarkers for vascular cognitive impairment and dementia are increasingly important, as mixed dementia—driven by both vascular and neurodegenerative processes—is now recognized as the most common dementia subtype. Advances in imaging and biomarker research have made it possible to identify mixed dementia during life, rather than only at autopsy, by combining evidence of white‑matter injury with Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers.
Building on prior work from the New Mexico Exploratory Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, the Core uses advanced assay platforms such as Quanterix HD‑X and MesoScale Discovery to measure a broad range of blood‑based biomarkers. These include Alzheimer’s‑related proteins, neurofilament light, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and emerging markers of inflammation and vascular injury. These technologies have enabled large‑scale, community‑based studies that were not previously possible.
Most biomarker validation studies have focused on urban, predominantly non‑Hispanic White populations, leaving major gaps in knowledge about rural and underrepresented groups. To address this, the Fluid Biomarker Core applies these tools in New Mexico’s diverse communities, including large Hispanic/Latino and American Indian populations. Blood samples collected through the Clinical Core and the Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement Core are processed and stored for analysis, with linked neuroimaging data enabling more accurate classification of dementia subtypes, including mixed dementia.
Aim 1: Develop and maintain advanced infrastructure to support biomarker research across the disease continuum.
This includes comprehensive systems for blood sample collection, biobanking, biomarker analysis, and prioritization to assess dementia risk, detect early‑stage disease, and monitor progression of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Aim 2: Validate blood‑based biomarkers by linking them to markers of inflammation from the national MarkVCID study and to cognitive performance measured through neuropsychological assessments.
Mixed‑etiology dementia will be identified by combining evidence of white‑matter injury on MRI with Alzheimer’s disease–related proteins measured in blood. In parallel, the Core will build a shared pipeline to distribute samples, data, and expertise to support new research across the University of New Mexico and throughout the state.
Aim 3: Work collaboratively with all NM ADRC Cores to use blood‑based biomarkers to better define risk factors, prevalence, and prognosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
This integrated approach will improve diagnostic accuracy and care for medically underserved rural populations in New Mexico while supporting training and career development for the next generation of dementia researchers.
