Cerebrospinal Fluid Amyloid-β Subtypes in Confirmed Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration Cases: A Pilot Study

J Alzheimers Dis. 2019;71(1):15-20. doi: 10.3233/JAD-190344.

Abstract

To investigate amyloid-β (Aβ) in frontotemporal dementia (FTD), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Aβ38, Aβ40, and Aβ42 in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD; N = 18 genetically and/or pathologically confirmed and N = 8 FTD with concomitant amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) were compared with Alzheimer's disease (AD; pathological or Pittsburgh-compound-B Positron-emission-tomography (PIB-PET) positive; N = 25) and controls (N = 24). For all the Aβ subtypes, group difference was seen and post-hoc analysis revealed lower levels in FTLD compared to controls (p≤0.05). Aβ42/40 ratio showed no difference between FTLD and controls; however, a difference was seen between AD versus FTLD (p < 0.01). This is an intriguing finding, suggesting a possible role of Aβ in FTLD pathogenesis.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; amyloid; frontotemporal dementia; frontotemporal lobar degeneration.

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Biomarkers / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Peptide Fragments / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Pilot Projects
  • ROC Curve
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Biomarkers
  • Peptide Fragments
  • amyloid beta-protein (1-38)
  • amyloid beta-protein (1-40)
  • amyloid beta-protein (1-42)
  • amyloid beta-protein (40-42)