Comparison of long non-coding RNA NEAT1 expression, P53, and antioxidant factors between Alzheimer’s patients and healthy individuals

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran

2 Cellular and molecular research center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran

3 Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran

4 Neuroscience Research Center, Trauma Institute, Poursina Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran

10.22038/ijbms.2026.89576.19336

Abstract

Objective(s): Several studies have reported that the lncRNA Nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) is associated with the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Oxidative stress and apoptosis also play crucial roles in the development of AD. The present study compared the serum levels of NEAT1, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and P53 between individuals with AD and healthy controls. 
Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 30 AD patients and 33 healthy controls and then centrifuged to separate serum. Total RNAs were isolated, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was applied to determine NEAT1 gene expression. Also, Enzyme-linked immunoassays (ELISA) were conducted to measure SOD and GSH as anti-oxidant factors, and p53 as an apoptosis marker. 
Results: NEAT1 expression was significantly higher in AD patients than in controls (P<0.001). In addition, ROC analysis revealed that serum NEAT1 levels distinguished AD patients from healthy controls with 90% sensitivity and 84.85% specificity. Moreover, the anti-oxidant levels of SOD (P<0.0001) and GSH (P<0.05) were significantly decreased in AD patients, while P53 levels were significantly increased (P<0.05). However, no significant association was found between NEAT1 expression and the measured blood factors.
Conclusion: The serum levels of NEAT1 effectively distinguished between AD patients and non-AD people, underscoring its potential as a blood-based biomarker for the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 24 February 2026

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