Real-World Implementation of Blood-Based Biomarkers for Neurodegenerative and Neuroinflammatory Diseases

Blood-based biomarkers (BBB) are transforming the diagnostic and therapeutic landscape of neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases, offering scalable, minimally invasive tools that can expand access to precision medicine. Their rapid development in Alzheimer’s disease has accelerated efforts to integrate blood‑based testing into clinical workflows, clinical trials, and screening strategies for drug trials. At the same time, advances in biomarkers for multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are opening new avenues for disease monitoring, prognostication, and treatment evaluation beyond traditional imaging and CSF‑based approaches.

Despite this momentum, real‑world implementation remains uneven. Regional differences in healthcare infrastructure, reimbursement, laboratory capacity, and regulatory pathways shape how and when BBB can be adopted. Equally important is the distinction between biomarkers intended for etiological diagnosis in clinical practice and those optimized for trial enrichment, patient stratification, or pharmacodynamic readouts. Ensuring analytical robustness, harmonized validation, and clear clinical interpretation frameworks is essential for responsible translation.

This Collection highlights original research articles and reviews that advance the practical deployment of BBB across neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases, clarify their clinical utility, or address the challenges of global implementation. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• BBB for Alzheimer’s disease, including Aβ and p‑tau isoforms
• BBB for multiple sclerosis, including neurofilaments and emerging inflammatory markers
• BBB for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and their role in prognosis and therapy monitoring
• BBB for Parkinson’s disease
• Clinical implementation pathways for blood‑based neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation markers
• Regional variability in biomarker adoption and health‑system readiness
• Analytical validation and standardization of blood assays
• Etiological diagnosis vs. trial‑specific applications in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation
• Trial enrichment and patient stratification using BBB
• Health-economic evaluation of BBB

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being.

All submissions in this collection undergo the journal’s standard peer review process. Similarly, all manuscripts authored by a Guest Editor(s) will be handled by the Editor-in-Chief. As an open access publication, this journal levies an article processing fee (details here). We recognize that many key stakeholders may not have access to such resources and are committed to supporting participation in this issue wherever resources are a barrier. For more information about what support may be available, please visit OA funding and support, or email OAfundingpolicy@springernature.com or the Editor-in-Chief.