Personalized prevention of neurodegenerative diseases: scoping review and evidence gap map

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases represent a major public health challenge due to their high prevalence and poor prognosis. Identifying biomarkers to stratify individuals by their risk of developing these diseases may help to define new personalized prevention interventions. The objective of this study was to conduct a scoping review of biomarkers for primary and secondary personalized prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. The search targeted biomarkers in adults or high‐risk subpopulations in clinical or public health settings for Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body disease, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Ultimately, 286 papers were included in the review and the interactive gap map. There is a strong focus on Alzheimer's disease, and most papers included ‐omics‐based biomarkers and/or used artificial intelligence. Genetics/genomics are at the forefront of current scientific research, although there is a notable gap in studying gene–environment interactions, and studies in clinical settings are still scarce. Highlights: Research indicates a strong focus on Alzheimer´s disease and limited research in other diseases. Genetics and genomics are at the forefront of current scientific research. We found biomarkers for predicting progression in mild cognitive decline. There is a notable gap in studying gene‐environment interactions. Studies investigating biomarkers in a clinical context are still scarce.