Evaluation of DNA methylation status at the –374 CpG site on the <i>HMOX1</i> gene as a biomarker for AD.

<p>DNA methylation at the –374 CpG site in blood samples from AD patients, MCI patients and control individuals was analyzed using qMSP. (A) Data are expressed as scattered plots with lines at mean value. Statistical analyses were performed using Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance and Dunn’s multiple comparison post-tests for comparing the significance between AD patients and control individuals (*) or MCI patients (^#) (*, ^# <i>p</i> < 0.05, **, ^## p < 0.01, ***, ^### p < 0.001). (B) The relationship between DNA methylation at the –374 CpG site on the <i>HMOX1</i> gene and MMSE score was evaluated by Pearson and Spearman correlations (green dots, control individuals; orange dots, MCI patients; black dots, AD patients). (C) Receiver operating characteristic curves shows the discrimination of AD patients from MCI patients and control individuals based on DNA methylation status at the –374 CpG site of <i>HMOX1</i>. The area under the curve is 81.50% for AD.