Fluid Biomarkers and Translational Neurology Research Group
The main goal of the Fluid Biomarkers and Translational Neurology Research Group is to better understand the biological basis of Alzheimer’s and other age-related neurodegenerative diseases, particularly during the early stages. The group has a strong translational focus and conducts research to develop, identify and validate biomarkers to improve the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, discover new therapeutic targets, and investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying these diseases. Its multidisciplinary team, composed of researchers with diverse backgrounds, including clinical neurology, biochemistry, proteomics, bioinformatics, biostatistics and neuropsychology, enables the identification of clinical problems and patients’ needs at the bedside, and conducts basic science research at the bench to answer clinically relevant questions.
Research lines
Blood factors in brain aging
This line of research began with the HeBe project (ERC Starting Grant), funded by the European Research Council (Horizon 2020; grant agreement No. 948677), with the aim of identifying factors present in the blood with a potential rejuvenating or ageing effect on the human brain. Currently, this line of research continues to focus on understanding the biological mechanisms that explain vulnerability or resilience to Alzheimer's disease in its preclinical stages. In particular, we are studying how changes in the plasma proteome are associated with long-term cognitive trajectories in people with early biomarkers of the disease.
A central focus of the research is the characterisation of biological differences according to sex, with the aim of understanding why men and women may have different molecular and cognitive trajectories during the early stages of the disease.
To address these questions, we integrate proteomics data generated with technologies such as Olink, SomaScan, and NULISA, which allow us to systematically study the molecular processes involved in the onset of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Development of novel biomarkers to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease
In this line of research, the group is working to develop, validate and implement new biomarkers in fluids that will improve the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases in their early stages. These biomarkers can also help identify people at higher risk of developing the disease, predict prognosis, monitor progression and evaluate response to treatment, as well as act as surrogate markers in clinical trials.
The group addresses the entire biomarker development workflow, from candidate identification and assay development to validation and clinical implementation. The state-of-the-art laboratory is equipped with highly automated platforms and advanced technologies, including NULISA, which enable highly sensitive and reproducible measurements, especially for the study of glial biomarkers and other relevant neurobiological processes. With the advent of new anti-amyloid therapies, a priority is to identify which patients can benefit from treatment and what risk they have of developing ARIA.
Clinical implementation of blood biomarkers
The Fluid Biomarkers and Translational Neurology Research Group works to improve blood biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease and evaluate their implementation in the clinical setting, with the aim of developing accessible, scalable and equitable diagnostic strategies. In this context, the group is conducting several studies:
- Beta-AARC study, to assess whether blood biomarkers for Alzheimer's can indicate the pathology of the disease in individuals with subjective memory complaints and determine whether they can be integrated into current diagnostic circuits to improve patient management.
- PLASMAR study, to determine whether blood biomarkers have an impact on the clinical management of patients with cognitive complaints treated at the Neurology Department of Hospital de Mar.
- DIVAD study, an initiative that, in collaboration with the Raval Sud primary care centre, evaluates the implementation and performance of blood biomarkers in underrepresented communities. The project analyses biological, clinical and socioeconomic factors that may influence their use and variability, with the aim of ensuring robust and equitable diagnostic strategies.
