The detection of GRN mutation carriers by progranulin blood protein levels from finger-stick collection

Introduction: Heterozygous mutations in the progranulin gene (GRN) leading to decreased progranulin levels are one of the most frequent causes of inherited frontotemporal dementia (FTD). We evaluated progranulin levels in dried blood spots from capillary finger-stick collection (DBScapillary). Methods: Paired venous Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) plasma and DBScapillary samples were collected from each participant with or without pathogenic GRN mutations. Results: DBScapillary progranulin levels in GRN mutation carriers (mean [SD] age, 55 [13] years; n = 16) were reduced compared to non-mutation carriers (64 [11] years; n = 44) (2.38 ng/mL [1.0] vs 4.37 [0.68] ng/mL; U = 42; p < 0.0001, ROC AUC = 0.94 [95% CI: 0.83 to 1.00]) and highly associated with venous plasma levels (R = 0.819; p < 0.001). Discussion: Progranulin levels can be accurately determined from finger-stick blood samples. This can enable regular and remote monitoring of this protein in FTD therapeutic trials and potentially serve as a first-level screening test for GRN mutations.