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Therapeutic & Molecular Ontology

Drug, Gene & Biomarker Index

Navigate peer-reviewed breakthroughs by pharmacological class, genetic target, circulating biomarker, or diagnostic modality. Select any clinical entity to inspect all linked studies.

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Indexed Entities (24)

Biomarker / Assay4 Peer-Reviewed Briefings

Plasma p-tau217 & Neurofilament

Blood-based phosphorylated tau (p-tau217, p-tau181) and neurofilament light chain (NfL) assays.

Active Specialties:Neurology
Neurology editorial photograph for Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy in Alzheimer Disease Continuum: Prevalence and Clinical Relevance in a Biomarker-Defined Memory Clinic Cohort
NEUROLOGY · REAL-WORLD COHORT

Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy in Alzheimer Disease Continuum: Prevalence and Clinical Relevance in a Biomarker-Defined Memory Clinic Cohort

More than one-quarter of amyloid-positive patients fulfilled the Boston criteria v2.0 for probable CAA. Probable CAA was not associated...

3/5 Observational
Evidence Meter · 3/5

Real-World Observation

Finds meaningful patterns in human health records or cohorts, though observational data cannot prove direct cause.

1 min readNeurology
NEUROLOGY · CLINICAL PRACTICE

Plasma P-Tau217 as a Prognostic, Monitoring, and Risk-Stratification Biomarker of Clinical Progression in Lewy Body Disease

Plasma pTau217 is a promising prognostic, risk-stratification, and monitoring biomarker (measurable biological signal) of clinical progression in LBD, underscoring its... Although plasma phosphorylated tau-217 (pTau217) detects co-occurring Alzheimer disease (AD) neuropathologic change in Lewy body disease (LBD), relationships with long-term clinical outcomes remain unclear.

3/5 Observational
Evidence Meter · 3/5

Real-World Observation

Finds meaningful patterns in human health records or cohorts, though observational data cannot prove direct cause.

1 min readNeurology
NEUROLOGY · REAL-WORLD COHORT

Blood-Based Biomarkers as Predictors of All-Cause Dementia: A 13-Year Follow-Up in the Whitehall II Cohort Study

The long-term predictive ability of blood-based biomarkers for incident dementia in community-dwelling older adults was modest due to poor sensitivity and similar to that of a model containing known risk factors. Blood-based biomarkers are strongly correlated with amyloid positivity in research settings, but their long-term performance in heterogeneous populations remains unclear.

3/5 Observational
Evidence Meter · 3/5

Real-World Observation

Finds meaningful patterns in human health records or cohorts, though observational data cannot prove direct cause.

1 min readNeurology
NEUROLOGY · REAL-WORLD COHORT

Cerebrospinal Fluid Cytokine Expression and Relationships With Neurological Measures in Virologically Controlled People With HIV

Elevated expression of several cytokines in the CSF of virologically suppressed PWH indicates persistent immune activity and supports the existence of a central nervous system (CNS) reservoir. Numerous cytokines showed favorable associations with NP data, including "proinflammatory" cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α and several chemotactic cytokines, whereas some "anti-inflammatory" cytokines such as IL-10 correlated positively with unfavorable neurodegenerative markers.

3/5 Observational
Evidence Meter · 3/5

Real-World Observation

Finds meaningful patterns in human health records or cohorts, though observational data cannot prove direct cause.

1 min readAnnals of Neurology

Patient & Student Companion

Everyday Lab & Drug Translator

Instant plain-English guides for common blood tests and prescriptions—what normal ranges mean, what high/low values signal, and what to ask your clinician.

Lab Marker3-Month Blood Sugar

HbA1c

Measures the percentage of red blood cell hemoglobin coated with glucose over roughly 90 days.

Normal: below 5.7% · Prediabetes: 5.7%–6.4%

6.5% or higher on two tests diagnoses diabetes; very low values can occur alongside hypoglycemia or hemolytic anemia.

Ask your doctor: “Does my HbA1c match my daily fasting/post-meal glucose trends?”

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Lab MarkerArtery Plaque Carrier

LDL Cholesterol

Low-density lipoprotein particles that carry cholesterol into blood vessel walls when circulating in excess.

General optimal: < 100 mg/dL (< 70 or < 55 mg/dL in high-risk hearts)

Sustained elevated LDL accelerates arterial plaque buildup; alongside ApoB, lowering LDL consistently cuts heart attack risk.

Ask your doctor: “Should we also check ApoB or Lipoprotein(a) to gauge my true plaque risk?”

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Lab MarkerBone & Immune Hormone

Vitamin D (25-OH)

Blood storage marker reflecting sun-made and dietary vitamin D essential for calcium absorption and bone remodeling.

Sufficient: 20–50 ng/mL (50–125 nmol/L)

Levels under 12–20 ng/mL risk bone softening and secondary hyperparathyroidism; mega-dosing rarely beats correcting true deficiency.

Ask your doctor: “Do my labs actually show deficiency, or is a standard maintenance dose enough?”

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Lab MarkerThyroid Thermostat

TSH

Pituitary hormone that signals your thyroid gland to speed up or slow down metabolism.

Typical adult range: ~0.4–4.5 mIU/L

Paradoxically, HIGH TSH usually signals an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), while LOW TSH points toward an overactive thyroid.

Ask your doctor: “If my TSH is borderline, should we re-test Free T4 before adjusting anything?”

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Lab MarkerKidney Filter Rate

eGFR

Estimated glomerular filtration rate—how many milliliters of blood your kidneys filter every minute.

Healthy adult filter rate: 90+ mL/min/1.73m²

Values persistently below 60 for 3+ months (or elevated urine albumin) mark chronic kidney disease; single dips can simply reflect dehydration or NSAID use.

Ask your doctor: “Should we pair eGFR with a urine albumin-to-creatinine test (uACR)?”

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Lab MarkerInflammation Signal

hs-CRP

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein released by the liver in response to infection, tissue stress, or vascular inflammation.

Low cardiovascular risk: < 1.0 mg/L · Elevated: > 3.0 mg/L

Mild chronic elevations flag vascular inflammation; readings above 10 mg/L usually reflect an acute cold, injury, or autoimmune flare.

Ask your doctor: “Was my CRP elevated because of a recent infection, or is it worth repeating when healthy?”

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MedicationIncretin Agonists

GLP-1s

Medications (e.g., semaglutide, tirzepatide) mimicking gut satiety hormones to lower blood sugar, slow stomach emptying, and quiet brain appetite signals.

Major RCTs show 12%–22% average weight loss & 20% fewer CV events in high-risk adults

Common early effects include nausea or reflux; maintaining protein intake and resistance exercise helps preserve lean muscle mass.

Ask your doctor: “If I start a GLP-1, how do we protect lean muscle and plan long-term dosing?”

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MedicationHMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors

Statins

First-line daily medications that curb liver cholesterol synthesis and boost LDL plaque particle clearance.

Lowers LDL 30%–55% depending on dose intensity

Decades of randomized trials confirm durable reductions in heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death; true severe muscle injury is rare.

Ask your doctor: “What is my 10-year cardiovascular risk score, and what LDL target fits me?”

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MedicationFirst-Line Metabolic Therapy

Metformin

Oldest, safest first-line type 2 diabetes drug that reduces excess liver glucose output and improves insulin sensitivity.

Lowers HbA1c by ~1.0%–1.5% without causing low blood sugar alone

Extended-release tablets cut stomach upset dramatically; long-term users should periodically monitor Vitamin B12 and kidney function (eGFR).

Ask your doctor: “Should we check my Vitamin B12 level if I have been on metformin for several years?”

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MedicationSerotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

SSRIs

Medications that increase synaptic serotonin availability over 2–6 weeks to treat major depression, OCD, and anxiety disorders.

Full clinical response typically emerges at weeks 4–8

Stopping abruptly can trigger temporary brain-zap withdrawal symptoms; tapering slowly with a clinician avoids discontinuation discomfort.

Ask your doctor: “How long should we evaluate a dose before deciding whether to adjust or combine with CBT?”

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SupplementCofactor Mineral

Magnesium

Essential mineral powering 300+ enzymes across nerve firing, muscle relaxation, blood pressure, and ATP energy metabolism.

Adult daily target: 310–420 mg/day from food + supplements

Standard blood serum tests miss mild tissue depletion; glycinate/citrate absorb better than oxide, while high supplemental doses can loosen stools.

Ask your doctor: “Are any of my prescription medicines lowering my magnesium stores?”

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