Cerebrospinal fluid tau/beta-amyloid(42) ratio as a prediction of cognitive decline in nondemented older adults

Arch Neurol. 2007 Mar;64(3):343-9. doi: 10.1001/archneur.64.3.noc60123. Epub 2007 Jan 8.

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the ability of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma measures to discriminate early-stage Alzheimer disease (AD) (defined by clinical criteria and presence/absence of brain amyloid) from nondemented aging and to assess whether these biomarkers can predict future dementia in cognitively normal individuals.

Design: Evaluation of CSF beta-amyloid(40) (Abeta(40)), Abeta(42), tau, phosphorylated tau(181), and plasma Abeta(40) and Abeta(42) and longitudinal clinical follow-up (from 1 to 8 years).

Setting: Longitudinal studies of healthy aging and dementia through an AD research center.

Participants: Community-dwelling volunteers (n = 139) aged 60 to 91 years and clinically judged as cognitively normal (Clinical Dementia Rating [CDR], 0) or having very mild (CDR, 0.5) or mild (CDR, 1) AD dementia.

Results: Individuals with very mild or mild AD have reduced mean levels of CSF Abeta(42) and increased levels of CSF tau and phosphorylated tau(181). Cerebrospinal fluid Abeta(42) level completely corresponds with the presence or absence of brain amyloid (imaged with Pittsburgh Compound B) in demented and nondemented individuals. The CSF tau/Abeta(42) ratio (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.58-17.22) and phosphorylated tau(181)/Abeta(42) ratio (adjusted hazard ratio, 4.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.62-11.86) predict conversion from a CDR of 0 to a CDR greater than 0.

Conclusions: The very mildest symptomatic stage of AD exhibits the same CSF biomarker phenotype as more advanced AD. In addition, levels of CSF Abeta(42), when combined with amyloid imaging, augment clinical methods for identifying in individuals with brain amyloid deposits whether dementia is present or not. Importantly, CSF tau/Abeta(42) ratios show strong promise as antecedent (preclinical) biomarkers that predict future dementia in cognitively normal older adults.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / blood
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Cognition Disorders / blood
  • Cognition Disorders / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Dementia / blood
  • Dementia / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Peptide Fragments / blood
  • Peptide Fragments / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • tau Proteins / blood
  • tau Proteins / cerebrospinal fluid*

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Peptide Fragments
  • amyloid beta-protein (1-42)
  • tau Proteins