Patent ID: 7682807
Filing Date: 2010-03-23
Classification: A61K,A61P,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method comprising the steps of: (a) measuring a basal phosphorylation level of Erk1/2 protein in cells selected from the group consisting of fibroblast, buccal mucosal, neuron, and blood from a subject; (b) contacting said cells from the subject with a PKC activator; (c) measuring an activated phosphorylation level of Erk1/2 protein in said subject cells after step (b); and (d) calculating a ratio of the activated phosphorylation level determined in step (c) to the basal phosphorylation level of step (a); and (e) comparing the calculated ratio of step (d) to a calculated ratio of activated to basal phosphorylation levels of Erk1/2 measured from known Alzheimer's disease cells, or comparing the calculated ratio of step (d) to a calculated ratio of activated to basal phosphorylation levels of Erk1/2 measured from non-Alzheimer's disease cells; wherein said method is indicative of Alzheimer's disease if the calculated ratio of step (d) is not higher or lower than said calculated ratio of step (e) for known Alzheimer's disease cells or if the calculated ratio of step (d) is higher or lower than said calculated ratio of step (e) for non-Alzheimer's disease cells.