Plasma biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease improve prediction of cognitive decline in cognitively unimpaired elderly populations

Nat Commun. 2021 Jun 11;12(1):3555. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-23746-0.

Abstract

Plasma biomarkers of amyloid, tau, and neurodegeneration (ATN) need to be characterized in cognitively unimpaired (CU) elderly individuals. We therefore tested if plasma measurements of amyloid-β (Aβ)42/40, phospho-tau217 (P-tau217), and neurofilament light (NfL) together predict clinical deterioration in 435 CU individuals followed for an average of 4.8 ± 1.7 years in the BioFINDER study. A combination of all three plasma biomarkers and basic demographics best predicted change in cognition (Pre-Alzheimer's Clinical Composite; R2 = 0.14, 95% CI [0.12-0.17]; P < 0.0001) and subsequent AD dementia (AUC = 0.82, 95% CI [0.77-0.91], P < 0.0001). In a simulated clinical trial, a screening algorithm combining all three plasma biomarkers would reduce the required sample size by 70% (95% CI [54-81]; P < 0.001) with cognition as trial endpoint, and by 63% (95% CI [53-70], P < 0.001) with subsequent AD dementia as trial endpoint. Plasma ATN biomarkers show usefulness in cognitively unimpaired populations and could make large clinical trials more feasible and cost-effective.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / blood*
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnosis*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / blood
  • Biomarkers / blood*
  • Biomarkers / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / blood*
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Peptide Fragments / blood
  • tau Proteins / blood

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Biomarkers
  • Peptide Fragments
  • tau Proteins