Exosome-derived proteins and RNAs emerge as non-invasive biomarkers for stroke and neurodegeneration
The study reports a narrative review examining exosome-derived proteins and small non-coding RNAs as potential non-invasive biomarkers for stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Investigators highlight the stability and accessibility of exosomes in biological fluids, noting their promise for early detection and disease monitoring. The authors stress that current evidence lacks direct comparative validation, calling for head-to-head cohort studies to determine whether exosomal microRNAs or protein markers offer superior diagnostic performance. For clinical laboratories, the review underscores the translational gap between preclinical biomarker discovery and routine diagnostic implementation.
The original study
Exosome-derived biomarkers as non-invasive tools in stroke, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
- Authors
- Talebi A, Nabili S, Alaei M, Koohsarian P, Doostmohammadi A, Dadashpour M
- Journal
- Metabolic brain disease
- Type
- Journal Article, Review
- PMID
- 42622974
Original abstract
Neurological disorders, including stroke, Parkinson's disease (PD), and Alzheimer's disease (AD), are among the most prevalent and debilitating neuropathological conditions, affecting over 50 million people globally. Effective prevention and treatment strategies require a comprehensive understanding of reliable and disease-specific biomarkers. Such insights can enhance diagnostic precision, enable early detection, and support the development of targeted therapeutic approaches. In this review, we focus on exosome-derived proteins and small non-coding RNAs as promising non-invasive biomarkers for stroke, PD, and AD, given the accessibility and stability of exosomes in biological fluids. Furthermore, we examine their potential diagnostic and therapeutic relevance, emphasizing their functional roles, specificity, and sensitivity. Finally, we discuss current limitations, emerging challenges, and future research directions to guide the advancement of exosome-based biomarker discovery and clinical translation in neurological disorders. However, we emphasize that the comparative effectiveness of exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) versus protein biomarkers requires direct validation in future head‑to‑head cohort studies.