A measurable biological characteristic that can be used as an indicator of a normal physiological or pathological process or to monitor response to treatment.
Biomarkers can be molecules, cells, medical images or physiological parameters.
Some examples of biomarkers
- PSA (Antigen Prostatic Specific): used for the screening of prostate cancer.
- Blood glucose levels: an indicator of diabetes.
- Protein Tau or beta-amyloid: markers of Alzheimer's disease.
- Brain MRI: used to detect neurological damage in diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
Other words that might interest you
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) :
- Imaging technique used to obtain 2 or 3-dimensional views of organs or limbs.