Serum Npas-4 and Nptx-2 Levels in Alzheimer’s Disease: Potential Biomarkers of Synaptic Dysfunction in a Cross-Sectional Study


Lazoglu Ozkaya A., Gürbüzer N., MERCANTEPE T., MERCANTEPE F.

Biomolecules, cilt.15, sa.6, 2025 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 15 Sayı: 6
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3390/biom15060795
  • Dergi Adı: Biomolecules
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Alzheimer’s disease, biomarker, lipid metabolism, NPAS-4, NPTX-2, synaptic plasticity
  • Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, synaptic dysfunction, and neuronal loss. Identifying reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease monitoring remains a critical need. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the serum levels of NPAS-4 (Neuronal PAS Domain Protein 4) and NPTX-2 (Neuronal Pentraxin 2) in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, exploring their potential roles in disease pathophysiology and their relationship with lipid parameters. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that included 63 patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and 56 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Venous blood samples were collected from all participants. NPAS-4 and NPTX-2 levels were measured using the ELISA method, while lipid parameters were analyzed via spectrophotometric techniques. Cognitive assessment was performed using the Standardized Mini-Mental Test (SMMT). Comparative analyses between groups, correlation studies, logistic regression, and ROC analyses were conducted. Results: Serum NPAS-4 and NPTX-2 levels were significantly lower in Alzheimer’s patients compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). Additionally, total cholesterol and LDL levels were lower in the patient group. Logistic regression analysis identified NPAS-4 as an independent risk predictor for Alzheimer’s disease (OR = 0.313, p < 0.001). ROC analyses demonstrated that both biomarkers had significant diagnostic discrimination power. However, no significant correlation was found between NPAS-4 and NPTX-2 levels and SMMT scores or lipid parameters. Conclusions: The decreased levels of NPAS-4 and NPTX-2 in Alzheimer’s patients may reflect biochemical manifestations of impaired synaptic plasticity. These findings suggest that NPAS-4 and NPTX-2 may serve as potential early biomarkers in the diagnosis and monitoring of Alzheimer’s disease.