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Hu D, Chen M, Li X, Morin P, Daley S, Han Y, Hemberg M, Weiner HL, Xia W. ApoE ε4-dependent alteration of CXCR3 + CD127 + CD4 + T cells is associated with elevated plasma neurofilament light chain in Alzheimer's disease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.28.596276. [PMID: 38853824 PMCID: PMC11160665 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.28.596276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Recent findings indicate a correlation between the peripheral adaptive immune system and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease (AD). To characterize the composition of adaptive immune cells in the peripheral blood of AD patients, we utilized single-cell mass cytometry (CyTOF) to profile peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Concurrently, we assessed the concentration of proteins associated with AD and neuroinflammation in the plasma of the same subjects. We found that the abundance of proinflammatory CXCR3 + CD127 + Type 1 T helper (Th1) cells in AD patients was negatively correlated with the abundance of neurofilament light chain (NfL) protein. This correlation is apolipoprotein E (ApoE) ε4-dependent. Analyzing public single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) data, we found that, contrary to the scenario in the peripheral blood, the cell frequency of CXCR3 + CD127 + Th1 cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of AD patients was increased compared to healthy controls (HCs). Moreover, the proinflammatory capacity of CXCR3 + CD127 + Th1 cells in the CSF of AD patients was further increased compared to HCs. These results reveal an association of a peripheral T-cell change with neuroinflammation in AD and suggest that dysregulation of peripheral adaptive immune responses, particularly involving CXCR3 + CD127 + Th1 cells, may potentially be mediated by factors such as ApoE ε4 genotype. One sentence summary An apolipoprotein E (ApoE) ε4-dependent alteration of CD4 T cell subpopulation in peripheral blood is associated with neuroinflammation in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
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Hu Q, Shi M, Li Y, Zhao X. Elevated plasma neurofilament light was associated with multi-modal neuroimaging features in Alzheimer's disease signature regions and predicted future tau deposition. BMC Neurol 2024; 24:236. [PMID: 38971733 PMCID: PMC11227162 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-024-03728-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurofilament Light (NfL) is a biomarker for early neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aims to examine the association between plasma NfL and multi-modal neuroimaging features across the AD spectrum and whether NfL predicts future tau deposition. METHODS The present study recruited 517 participants comprising Aβ negative cognitively normal (CN-) participants (n = 135), Aβ positive cognitively normal (CN +) participants (n = 64), individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) (n = 212), and those diagnosed with AD dementia (n = 106). All the participants underwent multi-modal neuroimaging examinations. Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between plasma NfL and multi-modal neuro-imaging features were evaluated using partial correlation analysis and linear mixed effects models. We also used linear regression analysis to investigate the association of baseline plasma NfL with future PET tau load. Mediation analysis was used to explore whether the effect of NfL on cognition was mediated by these imaging biomarkers. RESULTS The results showed that baseline NfL levels and the rate of change were associated with Aβ deposition, brain atrophy, brain connectome, glucose metabolism, and brain perfusion in AD signature regions (P<0.05). In both Aβ positive CN and MCI participants, baseline NfL showed a significant predictive value of elevating tau burden in the left medial orbitofrontal cortex and para-hippocampus (β = 0.336, P = 0.032; β = 0.313, P = 0.047). Lastly, the multi-modal neuroimaging features mediated the association between plasma NfL and cognitive performance. CONCLUSIONS The study supports the association between plasma NfL and multi-modal neuroimaging features in AD-vulnerable regions and its predictive value for future tau deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qili Hu
- Department of Imaging, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, No.128 Ruili Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Mengqiu Shi
- Department of Imaging, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, No.128 Ruili Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yunfei Li
- Department of Imaging, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, No.128 Ruili Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Xiaohu Zhao
- Department of Imaging, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, No.128 Ruili Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 200240, China.
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Koivumäki M, Ekblad L, Lantero-Rodriguez J, Ashton NJ, Karikari TK, Helin S, Parkkola R, Lötjönen J, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Rinne JO, Snellman A. Blood biomarkers of neurodegeneration associate differently with amyloid deposition, medial temporal atrophy, and cerebrovascular changes in APOE ε4-enriched cognitively unimpaired elderly. Alzheimers Res Ther 2024; 16:112. [PMID: 38762725 PMCID: PMC11102270 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-024-01477-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, neurofibrillary tau tangles, and neurodegeneration in the brain parenchyma. Here, we aimed to (i) assess differences in blood and imaging biomarkers used to evaluate neurodegeneration among cognitively unimpaired APOE ε4 homozygotes, heterozygotes, and non-carriers with varying risk for sporadic AD, and (ii) to determine how different cerebral pathologies (i.e., Aβ deposition, medial temporal atrophy, and cerebrovascular pathology) contribute to blood biomarker concentrations in this sample. METHODS Sixty APOE ε4 homozygotes (n = 19), heterozygotes (n = 21), and non-carriers (n = 20) ranging from 60 to 75 years, were recruited in collaboration with Auria biobank (Turku, Finland). Participants underwent Aβ-PET ([11C]PiB), structural brain MRI including T1-weighted and T2-FLAIR sequences, and blood sampling for measuring serum neurofilament light chain (NfL), plasma total tau (t-tau), plasma N-terminal tau fragments (NTA-tau) and plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). [11C]PiB standardized uptake value ratio was calculated for regions typical for Aβ accumulation in AD. MRI images were analysed for regional volumes, atrophy scores, and volumes of white matter hyperintensities. Differences in biomarker levels and associations between blood and imaging biomarkers were tested using uni- and multivariable linear models (unadjusted and adjusted for age and sex). RESULTS Serum NfL concentration was increased in APOE ε4 homozygotes compared with non-carriers (mean 21.4 pg/ml (SD 9.5) vs. 15.5 pg/ml (3.8), p = 0.013), whereas other blood biomarkers did not differ between the groups (p > 0.077 for all). From imaging biomarkers, hippocampal volume was significantly decreased in APOE ε4 homozygotes compared with non-carriers (6.71 ml (0.86) vs. 7.2 ml (0.7), p = 0.029). In the whole sample, blood biomarker levels were differently predicted by the three measured cerebral pathologies; serum NfL concentration was associated with cerebrovascular pathology and medial temporal atrophy, while plasma NTA-tau associated with medial temporal atrophy. Plasma GFAP showed significant association with both medial temporal atrophy and Aβ pathology. Plasma t-tau concentration did not associate with any of the measured pathologies. CONCLUSIONS Only increased serum NfL concentrations and decreased hippocampal volume was observed in cognitively unimpaired APOEε4 homozygotes compared to non-carriers. In the whole population the concentrations of blood biomarkers were affected in distinct ways by different pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikko Koivumäki
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
| | - Laura Ekblad
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Juan Lantero-Rodriguez
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Nicholas J Ashton
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Centre for Age-Related Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health & Biomedical Research Unit for Dementia at South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation, London, UK
| | - Thomas K Karikari
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Semi Helin
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Riitta Parkkola
- Department of Radiology, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | | | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, China
- Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Juha O Rinne
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- InFLAMES Research Flagship Center, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Anniina Snellman
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
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Gaur A, Gallagher D, Herrmann N, Chen JJ, Marzolini S, Oh P, Amemiya Y, Seth A, Kiss A, Lanctôt KL. Neurofilament Light Chain as a Biomarker of Global Cognition in Individuals With Possible Vascular Mild Cognitive Impairment. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 2024:8919887241254469. [PMID: 38757180 DOI: 10.1177/08919887241254469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) is a biomarker of axonal injury elevated in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease dementia. Blood NfL also inversely correlates with cognitive performance in those conditions. However, few studies have assessed NfL as a biomarker of global cognition in individuals demonstrating mild cognitive deficits who are at risk for vascular-related cognitive decline. OBJECTIVE To assess the relationship between blood NfL and global cognition in individuals with possible vascular MCI (vMCI) throughout cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Additionally, NfL levels were compared to age/sex-matched cognitively unimpaired (CU) controls. METHOD Participants with coronary artery disease (vMCI or CU) were recruited at entry to a 24-week CR program. Global cognition was measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and plasma NfL level (pg/ml) was quantified using a highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Higher plasma NfL was correlated with worse MoCA scores at baseline (β = -.352, P = .029) in 43 individuals with vMCI after adjusting for age, sex, and education. An increase in NfL was associated with worse global cognition (b[SE] = -4.81[2.06], P = .023) over time, however baseline NfL did not predict a decline in global cognition. NfL levels did not differ between the vMCI (n = 39) and CU (n = 39) groups (F(1, 76) = 1.37, P = .245). CONCLUSION Plasma NfL correlates with global cognition at baseline in individuals with vMCI, and is associated with decline in global cognition during CR. Our findings increase understanding of NfL and neurobiological mechanisms associated with cognitive decline in vMCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amish Gaur
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Damien Gallagher
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nathan Herrmann
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jinghan Jenny Chen
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Susan Marzolini
- KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Paul Oh
- KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yutaka Amemiya
- Genomics Core Facility, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Arun Seth
- Genomics Core Facility, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alex Kiss
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Krista L Lanctôt
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Oosthoek M, Vermunt L, de Wilde A, Bongers B, Antwi-Berko D, Scheltens P, van Bokhoven P, Vijverberg EGB, Teunissen CE. Utilization of fluid-based biomarkers as endpoints in disease-modifying clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review. Alzheimers Res Ther 2024; 16:93. [PMID: 38678292 PMCID: PMC11055304 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-024-01456-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical trials in Alzheimer's disease (AD) had high failure rates for several reasons, including the lack of biological endpoints. Fluid-based biomarkers may present a solution to measure biologically relevant endpoints. It is currently unclear to what extent fluid-based biomarkers are applied to support drug development. METHODS We systematically reviewed 272 trials (clinicaltrials.gov) with disease-modifying therapies starting between 01-01-2017 and 01-01-2024 and identified which CSF and/or blood-based biomarker endpoints were used per purpose and trial type. RESULTS We found that 44% (N = 121) of the trials employed fluid-based biomarker endpoints among which the CSF ATN biomarkers (Aβ (42/40), p/tTau) were used most frequently. In blood, inflammatory cytokines, NFL, and pTau were most frequently employed. Blood- and CSF-based biomarkers were used approximately equally. Target engagement biomarkers were used in 26% (N = 72) of the trials, mainly in drugs targeting inflammation and amyloid. Lack of target engagement markers is most prominent in synaptic plasticity/neuroprotection, neurotransmitter receptor, vasculature, epigenetic regulators, proteostasis and, gut-brain axis targeting drugs. Positive biomarker results did not always translate to cognitive effects, most commonly the small significant reductions in CSF tau isoforms that were seen following anti-Tau treatments. On the other hand, the positive anti-amyloid trials results on cognitive function were supported by clear effect in most fluid markers. CONCLUSIONS As the field moves towards primary prevention, we expect an increase in the use of fluid-based biomarkers to determine disease modification. Use of blood-based biomarkers will rapidly increase, but CSF markers remain important to determine brain-specific treatment effects. With improving techniques, new biomarkers can be found to diversify the possibilities in measuring treatment effects and target engagement. It remains important to interpret biomarker results in the context of the trial and be aware of the performance of the biomarker. Diversifying biomarkers could aid in the development of surrogacy biomarkers for different drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlies Oosthoek
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Neurochemistry Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Lisa Vermunt
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Neurochemistry Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arno de Wilde
- EQT Life Sciences, Johannes Vermeersplein 9, 1071 DV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bram Bongers
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Neurochemistry Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel Antwi-Berko
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Neurochemistry Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Philip Scheltens
- EQT Life Sciences, Johannes Vermeersplein 9, 1071 DV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Alzheimer Center, Department of Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Everard G B Vijverberg
- Alzheimer Center, Department of Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Charlotte E Teunissen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Neurochemistry Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Vrillon A, Ashton NJ, Karikari TK, Götze K, Cognat E, Dumurgier J, Lilamand M, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Paquet C. Comparison of CSF and plasma NfL and pNfH for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis: a memory clinic study. J Neurol 2024; 271:1297-1310. [PMID: 37950758 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-12066-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
Plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a promising biomarker of axonal damage for the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. Phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNfH) has demonstrated its value in motor neuron diseases diagnosis, but has less been explored for dementia diagnosis. In a cross-sectional study, we compared cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma NfL and pNfH levels in n = 188 patients from Lariboisière Hospital, Paris, France, including AD patients at mild cognitive impairment stage (AD-MCI, n = 36) and dementia stage (n = 64), non-AD MCI (n = 38), non-AD dementia (n = 28) patients and control subjects (n = 22). Plasma NfL, plasma and CSF pNfH levels were measured using Simoa and CSF NfL using ELISA. The correlation between CSF and plasma levels was stronger for NfL than pNfH (rho = 0.77 and rho = 0.52, respectively). All neurofilament markers were increased in AD-MCI, AD dementia and non-AD dementia groups compared with controls. CSF NfL, CSF pNfH and plasma NfL showed high performance to discriminate AD at both MCI and dementia stages from control subjects [AUC (area under the curve) = 0.82-0.91]. Plasma pNfH displayed overall lower AUCs for discrimination between groups compared with CSF pNfH. Neurofilament markers showed similar moderate association with cognition. NfL levels displayed significant association with mediotemporal lobe atrophy and white matter lesions in the AD group. Our results suggest that CSF NfL and pNfH as well as plasma NfL levels display equivalent performance in both positive and differential AD diagnosis in memory clinic settings. In contrast to motoneuron disorders, plasma pNfH did not demonstrate added value as compared with plasma NfL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agathe Vrillon
- Cognitive Neurology Center, Lariboisière Fernand Widal Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France.
- INSERM U1144, Therapeutic Optimization in Neuropsychopharmacology, Paris, France.
| | - Nicholas J Ashton
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Maurice Wohl Institute Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health and Biomedical Research Unit for Dementia at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation, London, UK
- Centre for Age-Related Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Thomas K Karikari
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Karl Götze
- INSERM U1144, Therapeutic Optimization in Neuropsychopharmacology, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Cognat
- Cognitive Neurology Center, Lariboisière Fernand Widal Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- INSERM U1144, Therapeutic Optimization in Neuropsychopharmacology, Paris, France
| | - Julien Dumurgier
- Cognitive Neurology Center, Lariboisière Fernand Widal Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Matthieu Lilamand
- Cognitive Neurology Center, Lariboisière Fernand Widal Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Maurice Wohl Institute Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
- Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Claire Paquet
- Cognitive Neurology Center, Lariboisière Fernand Widal Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- INSERM U1144, Therapeutic Optimization in Neuropsychopharmacology, Paris, France
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Hu Q, Shi M, Li Y, Zhao X. Elevated plasma neurofilament light was associated with multi-modal neuroimaging features in Alzheimer's Disease signature regions and predicted future tau deposition. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3946421. [PMID: 38464117 PMCID: PMC10925409 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3946421/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Background Neurofilament Light (NfL) is a biomarker for early neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aims to examine the association between plasma NfL and multi-modal neuroimaging features across the AD spectrum and whether NfL predicts future tau deposition. Methods The present study recruited 517 participants comprising Aβ negative cognitively normal (CN-) participants (n = 135), CN + participants (n = 64), individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (n = 212), and those diagnosed with AD dementia (n = 106). All the participants underwent multi-modal neuroimaging examinations. Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between plasma NfL and multi-modal neuro-imaging features were evaluated using partial correlation analysis and linear mixed effects models. We also used linear regression analysis to investigate the association of baseline plasma NfL with future PET tau load. Mediation analysis was used to explore whether the effect of NfL on cognition was mediated by these MRI markers. Results The results showed that baseline NfL levels and the rate of change were associated with Aβ deposition, brain atrophy, brain connectome, glucose metabolism, and brain perfusion in AD signature regions. In both Aβ positive CN and MCI participants, baseline NfL showed a significant predictive value of elevating tau burden in the left medial orbitofrontal cortex and para-hippocampus. Lastly, the multi-modal neuroimaging features mediated the association between plasma NfL and cognitive performance. Conclusions The study supports the association between plasma NfL and multi-modal neuroimaging features in AD-vulnerable regions and its predictive value for future tau deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qili Hu
- The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University
| | - Mengqiu Shi
- The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University
| | - Yunfei Li
- The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University
| | - Xiaohu Zhao
- The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University
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Cheng YW, Lin YJ, Lin YS, Hong WP, Kuan YC, Wu KY, Hsu JL, Wang PN, Pai MC, Chen CS, Fuh JL, Hu CJ, Chiu MJ. Application of blood-based biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease in clinical practice: Recommendations from Taiwan Dementia Society. J Formos Med Assoc 2024:S0929-6646(24)00051-2. [PMID: 38296698 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2024.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Blood-based biomarkers (BBM) are potentially powerful tools that assist in the biological diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in vivo with minimal invasiveness, relatively low cost, and good accessibility. This review summarizes current evidence for using BBMs in AD, focusing on amyloid, tau, and biomarkers for neurodegeneration. Blood-based phosphorylated tau and the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio showed consistent concordance with brain pathology measured by CSF or PET in the research setting. In addition, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament light chain (NfL) are neurodegenerative biomarkers that show the potential to assist in the differential diagnosis of AD. Other pathology-specific biomarkers, such as α-synuclein and TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), can potentially detect AD concurrent pathology. Based on current evidence, the working group from the Taiwan Dementia Society (TDS) achieved consensus recommendations on the appropriate use of BBMs for AD in clinical practice. BBMs may assist clinical diagnosis and prognosis in AD subjects with cognitive symptoms; however, the results should be interpreted by dementia specialists and combining biochemical, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging information. Further studies are needed to evaluate BBMs' real-world performance and potential impact on clinical decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Wen Cheng
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Ju Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Shuan Lin
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Pin Hong
- Department of Neurology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chun Kuan
- Taipei Neuroscience Institute, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Neurology and Dementia Center, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Yi Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
| | - Jung-Lung Hsu
- Department of Neurology, New Taipei Municipal TuCheng Hospital, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain, & Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Brain & Consciousness Research Center, Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ning Wang
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chyi Pai
- Division of Behavioral Neurology, Department of Neurology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan; Institute of Gerontology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Sheng Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jong-Ling Fuh
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chaur-Jong Hu
- Taipei Neuroscience Institute, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Neurology and Dementia Center, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Jang Chiu
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
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9
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Varma VR, An Y, Kac PR, Bilgel M, Moghekar A, Loeffler T, Amschl D, Troncoso J, Blennow K, Zetterberg H, Ashton NJ, Resnick SM, Thambisetty M. Longitudinal progression of blood biomarkers reveals a key role of astrocyte reactivity in preclinical Alzheimer's disease. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.01.25.24301779. [PMID: 38343809 PMCID: PMC10854357 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.25.24301779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Defining the progression of blood biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is essential for targeting treatments in patients most likely to benefit from early intervention. We delineated the temporal ordering of blood biomarkers a decade prior to the onset of AD symptoms in participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. We show that increased astrocyte reactivity, assessed by elevated glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels is an early event in the progression of blood biomarker changes in preclinical AD. In AD-converters who are initially cognitively unimpaired (N=158, 377 serial plasma samples), higher plasma GFAP levels are observed as early as 10-years prior to the onset of cognitive impairment due to incident AD compared to individuals who remain cognitively unimpaired (CU, N=160, 379 serial plasma samples). Plasma GFAP levels in AD-converters remain elevated 5-years prior to and coincident with the onset of cognitive impairment due to AD. In participants with neuropathologically confirmed AD, plasma GFAP levels are elevated relative to cognitively normal individuals and intermediate in those who remain cognitively unimpaired despite significant AD pathology (asymptomatic AD). Higher plasma GFAP levels at death are associated with greater severity of both neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. In the 5XFAD transgenic model of AD, we observed greater GFAP levels in the cortex and hippocampus of transgenic mice relative to wild-type prior to the development of cognitive impairment. Reactive astrocytosis, an established biological response to neuronal injury, may be an early initiator of AD pathogenesis and a promising therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- V R Varma
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Section, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Y An
- Brain Aging and Behavior Section, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - P R Kac
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - M Bilgel
- Brain Aging and Behavior Section, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - A Moghekar
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - T Loeffler
- Scantox Neuro GmbH, Parkring 12, 8074, Grambach, Austria
| | - D Amschl
- Scantox Neuro GmbH, Parkring 12, 8074, Grambach, Austria
| | - J Troncoso
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - K Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - H Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
- Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - N J Ashton
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience Maurice Wohl Institute Clinical Neuroscience Institute London UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health and Biomedical Research Unit for Dementia at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation London UK
- Centre for Age-Related Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - S M Resnick
- Brain Aging and Behavior Section, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - M Thambisetty
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Section, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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10
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Jung Y, Damoiseaux JS. The potential of blood neurofilament light as a marker of neurodegeneration for Alzheimer's disease. Brain 2024; 147:12-25. [PMID: 37540027 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past several years, there has been a surge in blood biomarker studies examining the value of plasma or serum neurofilament light (NfL) as a biomarker of neurodegeneration for Alzheimer's disease. However, there have been limited efforts to combine existing findings to assess the utility of blood NfL as a biomarker of neurodegeneration for Alzheimer's disease. In addition, we still need better insight into the specific aspects of neurodegeneration that are reflected by the elevated plasma or serum concentration of NfL. In this review, we survey the literature on the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between blood-based NfL levels and other, neuroimaging-based, indices of neurodegeneration in individuals on the Alzheimer's continuum. Then, based on the biomarker classification established by the FDA-NIH Biomarker Working group, we determine the utility of blood-based NfL as a marker for monitoring the disease status (i.e. monitoring biomarker) and predicting the severity of neurodegeneration in older adults with and without cognitive decline (i.e. a prognostic or a risk/susceptibility biomarker). The current findings suggest that blood NfL exhibits great promise as a monitoring biomarker because an increased NfL level in plasma or serum appears to reflect the current severity of atrophy, hypometabolism and the decline of white matter integrity, particularly in the brain regions typically affected by Alzheimer's disease. Longitudinal evidence indicates that blood NfL can be useful not only as a prognostic biomarker for predicting the progression of neurodegeneration in patients with Alzheimer's disease but also as a susceptibility/risk biomarker predicting the likelihood of abnormal alterations in brain structure and function in cognitively unimpaired individuals with a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (e.g. those with a higher amyloid-β). There are still limitations to current research, as discussed in this review. Nevertheless, the extant literature strongly suggests that blood NfL can serve as a valuable prognostic and susceptibility biomarker for Alzheimer's disease-related neurodegeneration in clinical settings, as well as in research settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youjin Jung
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
- Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Jessica S Damoiseaux
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
- Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
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11
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Cullen NC, Novak P, Tosun D, Kovacech B, Hanes J, Kontsekova E, Fresser M, Ropele S, Feldman HH, Schmidt R, Winblad B, Zilka N. Efficacy assessment of an active tau immunotherapy in Alzheimer's disease patients with amyloid and tau pathology: a post hoc analysis of the "ADAMANT" randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multi-centre, phase 2 clinical trial. EBioMedicine 2024; 99:104923. [PMID: 38101301 PMCID: PMC10733085 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tau pathology correlates with and predicts clinical decline in Alzheimer's disease. Approved tau-targeted therapies are not available. METHODS ADAMANT, a 24-month randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, double-blinded, multicenter, Phase 2 clinical trial (EudraCT2015-000630-30, NCT02579252) enrolled 196 participants with Alzheimer's disease; 119 are included in this post-hoc subgroup analysis. AADvac1, active immunotherapy against pathological tau protein. A machine learning model predicted likely Amyloid+Tau+ participants from baseline MRI. STATISTICAL METHODS MMRM for change from baseline in cognition, function, and neurodegeneration; linear regression for associations between antibody response and endpoints. RESULTS The prediction model achieved PPV of 97.7% for amyloid, 96.2% for tau. 119 participants in the full analysis set (70 treatment and 49 placebo) were classified as A+T+. A trend for CDR-SB 104-week change (estimated marginal means [emm] = -0.99 points, 95% CI [-2.13, 0.13], p = 0.0825]) and ADCS-MCI-ADL (emm = 3.82 points, CI [-0.29, 7.92], p = 0.0679) in favour of the treatment group was seen. Reduction was seen in plasma NF-L (emm = -0.15 log pg/mL, CI [-0.27, -0.03], p = 0.0139). Higher antibody response to AADvac1 was related to slowing of decline on CDR-SB (rho = -0.10, CI [-0.21, 0.01], p = 0.0376) and ADL (rho = 0.15, CI [0.03, 0.27], p = 0.0201), and related to slower brain atrophy (rho = 0.18-0.35, p < 0.05 for temporal volume, whole cortex, and right and left hippocampus). CONCLUSIONS In the subgroup of ML imputed or CSF identified A+T+, AADvac1 slowed AD-related decline in an antibody-dependent manner. Larger anti-tau trials are warranted. FUNDING AXON Neuroscience SE.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Petr Novak
- Axon Neuroscience CRM Services, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Duygu Tosun
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Jozef Hanes
- Axon Neuroscience R&D Services, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | | | - Stefan Ropele
- Clinical Division of General Neurology, Department of Neurology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Howard H Feldman
- Department of Neurosciences, Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Reinhold Schmidt
- Clinical Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Bengt Winblad
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of NVS, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Solna, Sweden and Karolinska University Hospital, Theme Inflammation and Aging, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Norbert Zilka
- Axon Neuroscience R&D Services, Bratislava, Slovakia
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12
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Trieu C, van Harten AC, Leeuwis AE, Exalto LG, Hooghiemstra AM, Verberk IMW, Allaart CP, Brunner-La Rocca HP, Kappelle LJ, van Oostenbrugge RJ, Biessels GJ, Teunissen CE, van der Flier WM. Alzheimer's Disease and Cognitive Decline in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases Along the Heart-Brain Axis. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 98:987-1000. [PMID: 38489178 DOI: 10.3233/jad-231096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Background We hypothesize that Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related pathology may accelerate cognitive decline in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Objective To investigate the association between blood-based biomarkers of AD, astrocyte activation, and neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. Methods From the multi-center Heart-Brain study, we included 412 patients with heart failure, carotid occlusive disease or vascular cognitive impairment (age:68.6±9.0) and 128 reference participants (65.7±7.5). Baseline amyloid-β42/40 (Aβ42/40), phosphorylated-tau181 (pTau181), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neurofilament light (NfL) were determined using SiMoA (Quanterix). Memory, attention, language, and executive functioning were evaluated (follow-up:2.1±0.3 years). We applied linear mixed models with terms for biomarker, time and biomarker*time interactions, adjusted for age, sex, education, and site, to assess associations between biomarkers and cognitive decline. Results Among patients, Aβ42/40 was not associated with cognitive performance at baseline. However, lower Aβ42/40 was associated with steeper decline in global cognition (β±SE:0.04±0.02). Higher pTau181 was associated with worse baseline performance on global cognition (-0.14±0.04) and memory (-0.31±0.09) and with steeper decline in global cognition (-0.07±0.02), memory (-0.09±0.04), attention (-0.05±0.02), and language (-0.10±0.03). Higher GFAP was associated with worse baseline performance on global cognition (-0.22±0.05), memory (-0.43±0.10), attention (-0.14±0.06), language (-0.15±0.05), and executive functioning (-0.15±0.05) and steeper decline in global cognition (-0.05±0.01). Higher NfL was associated with worse baseline performance on global cognition (-0.16±0.04), memory (-0.28±0.09), attention (-0.20±0.06), and executive functioning (-0.10±0.04), but was not associated with performance over time. In reference participants, no associations were found. Conclusions Our findings suggest that blood-based biomarkers of AD-related pathology predict cognitive decline in patients with cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calvin Trieu
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Center (Amsterdam UMC), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Program Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Neurochemistry Laboratory, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Program Neurodegeneration, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Center (Amsterdam UMC), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Argonde C van Harten
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Center (Amsterdam UMC), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Program Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anna E Leeuwis
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Center (Amsterdam UMC), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Program Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lieza G Exalto
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Brain Research Center, Zwolle, The Netherlands
- Julius Clinical, Zeist, The Netherlands
| | - Astrid M Hooghiemstra
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Center (Amsterdam UMC), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Program Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Inge M W Verberk
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Center (Amsterdam UMC), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Program Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Neurochemistry Laboratory, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Program Neurodegeneration, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Center (Amsterdam UMC), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cor P Allaart
- Department of Cardiology, Institute for Cardiovascular Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Center (Amsterdam UMC), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - L Jaap Kappelle
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Geert-Jan Biessels
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Charlotte E Teunissen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Neurochemistry Laboratory, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Program Neurodegeneration, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Center (Amsterdam UMC), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wiesje M van der Flier
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Center (Amsterdam UMC), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Program Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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13
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Chong JSX, Tan YJ, Koh AJ, Ting SKS, Kandiah N, Ng ASL, Zhou JH. Plasma Neurofilament Light Relates to Divergent Default and Salience Network Connectivity in Alzheimer's Disease and Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 99:965-980. [PMID: 38759005 PMCID: PMC11191491 DOI: 10.3233/jad-231251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) and behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) show differential vulnerability to large-scale brain functional networks. Plasma neurofilament light (NfL), a promising biomarker of neurodegeneration, has been linked in AD patients to glucose metabolism changes in AD-related regions. However, it is unknown whether plasma NfL would be similarly associated with disease-specific functional connectivity changes in AD and bvFTD. Objective Our study examined the associations between plasma NfL and functional connectivity of the default mode and salience networks in patients with AD and bvFTD. Methods Plasma NfL and neuroimaging data from patients with bvFTD (n = 16) and AD or mild cognitive impairment (n = 38; AD + MCI) were analyzed. Seed-based functional connectivity maps of key regions within the default mode and salience networks were obtained and associated with plasma NfL in these patients. RESULTS We demonstrated divergent associations between NfL and functional connectivity in AD + MCI and bvFTD patients. Specifically, AD + MCI patients showed lower default mode network functional connectivity with higher plasma NfL, while bvFTD patients showed lower salience network functional connectivity with higher plasma NfL. Further, lower NfL-related default mode network connectivity in AD + MCI patients was associated with lower Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores and higher Clinical Dementia Rating sum-of-boxes scores, although NfL-related salience network connectivity in bvFTD patients was not associated with Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire scores. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that plasma NfL is differentially associated with brain functional connectivity changes in AD and bvFTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Su Xian Chong
- Centre for Sleep and Cognition & Centre for Translational Magnetic Resonance Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Human Potential Translational Research Programme and Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yi Jayne Tan
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
| | - Amelia Jialing Koh
- Centre for Sleep and Cognition & Centre for Translational Magnetic Resonance Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Human Potential Translational Research Programme and Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Simon Kang Seng Ting
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
| | - Nagaendran Kandiah
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
| | - Adeline Su Lyn Ng
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
| | - Juan Helen Zhou
- Centre for Sleep and Cognition & Centre for Translational Magnetic Resonance Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Human Potential Translational Research Programme and Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Integrative Sciences and Engineering Programme (ISEP), NUS Graduate School, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Neuroscience and Behavioural Disorders Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
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14
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Li J, Yang M, Wei R, Cao Y, Fan X, Zhang S. The Predictive Ability of Blood Neurofilament Light Chain in Predicting Cognitive Decline in the Alzheimer's Disease Continuum: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 97:1589-1620. [PMID: 38306045 DOI: 10.3233/jad-231080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with insidious onset. Identifying candidate predictors to forecast AD dementia risk before disease onset is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment. Objective We aimed to assess the predictive ability of blood neurofilament light (NfL) chain in anticipating cognitive decline in the AD continuum. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase from inception until April 7, 2023. Longitudinal observational studies examining the association between baseline blood NfL and cognitive decline or clinical disease conversion were included based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. The final effect size was represented by adjusted hazard ratios (HR) or standardized beta (s.β) coefficients with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results A total of 2,862 articles were identified, and 26 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results indicated that baseline blood NfL could predict cognitive decline, with MMSE [s.β= -0.17, 95% CI (-0.26, -0.07)]; PACC [s.β= -0.09, 95% CI (-0.16, -0.03)]; ADAS-cog [s.β= 0.21, 95% CI (0.13, 0.29)]; CDR-SOB [s.β= 0.27, 95% CI (0.03, 0.50)]; Global cognitive composite [s.β= -0.05, 95% CI (-0.08, -0.01)]; Memory subdomain [s.β= -0.06, 95% CI (-0.09, -0.03)]; Language subdomain [s.β= -0.07, 95% CI (-0.10, -0.05)]; Executive function subdomain [s.β= -0.02, 95% CI (-0.03, -0.01)]; Visuospatial subdomain [s.β= -0.06, 95% CI (-0.08, -0.04)]. Additionally, baseline blood NfL could predict disease progression (conversion from CU/SCD/MCI to MCI/AD) in the AD continuum [Adjust HR = 1.32, 95% CI (1.12, 1.56)]. Conclusions Baseline blood NfL demonstrated predictive capabilities for global cognition and its memory, language, executive function, visuospatial subdomains decline in the AD continuum. Moreover, it exhibited the potential to predict disease progression in non-AD dementia participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhong Li
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Aptamers Technology, 900TH hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, People's Liberation Army (PLA), Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Minguang Yang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Rehabilitation Medicine Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Renli Wei
- The Institute of Rehabilitation Industry, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Yue Cao
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Aptamers Technology, 900TH hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, People's Liberation Army (PLA), Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Xu Fan
- The Institute of Rehabilitation Industry, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Shenghang Zhang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Aptamers Technology, 900TH hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, People's Liberation Army (PLA), Fuzhou, Fujian, China
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15
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McGettigan S, Nolan Y, Ghosh S, O'Mahony D. The emerging role of blood biomarkers in diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Eur Geriatr Med 2023; 14:913-917. [PMID: 37648817 DOI: 10.1007/s41999-023-00847-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yvonne Nolan
- Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Subrata Ghosh
- Department of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Denis O'Mahony
- Department of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
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16
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Gao F, Dai L, Wang Q, Liu C, Deng K, Cheng Z, Lv X, Wu Y, Zhang Z, Tao Q, Yuan J, Li S, Wang Y, Su Y, Cheng X, Ni J, Wu Z, Zhang S, Shi J, Shen Y. Blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease: a multicenter-based cross-sectional and longitudinal study in China. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2023; 68:1800-1808. [PMID: 37500404 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2023.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Discrepancies in diagnostic biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) may arise from racial disparities, risk factors, or lifestyle differences. Moreover, there has been a lack of systematic and multicenter studies to evaluate baselines of the AD biomarkers in Chinese populations. Thus, there is an urgent need for research to investigate the effectiveness of blood biomarkers for AD, specifically in the Chinese Han population, using a multicenter approach. In the present multicenter-based cross-sectional and longitudinal study, we evaluated 817 blood samples from 6 different clinical centers. We measured plasma amyloid beta (Aβ)-40, Aβ42, phosphorylated tau 181 (pTau), total tau (tTau), serum neurofilament light (NFL), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Additionally, 18F-florbetapir positron electron tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were also performed. A combination of the APOE genotype with plasma pTau and serum GFAP demonstrated exceptional performance in distinguishing Aβ status. Furthermore, baseline GFAP levels exhibited a strong association with cognitive decline over time and brain atrophy, with higher GFAP levels predicting a faster rate of neurodegeneration. In summary, these results validate the practicality of blood biomarkers in the Chinese Han population, encompassing various regions within China. Additionally, they emphasize the potential of pTau and GFAP as non-invasive methods for detecting and screening AD at an early stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Gao
- Department of Neurology, Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China; Neurodegenerative Disorder Research Center, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Linbin Dai
- Department of Neurology, Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China; Neurodegenerative Disorder Research Center, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Qiong Wang
- Department of Neurology, Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Kexue Deng
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Zhaozhao Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Xinyi Lv
- Department of Neurology, Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Neurology, Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Ziyi Zhang
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qingqing Tao
- Department of Neurology and Research Center of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jing Yuan
- Department of Neurology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100006, China
| | - Shiping Li
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China
| | - Ya Su
- Department of Neurology, National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Xin Cheng
- Department of Neurology, National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
| | - Jun Ni
- Department of Neurology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100006, China.
| | - Zhiying Wu
- Department of Neurology and Research Center of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Shuting Zhang
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Jiong Shi
- Department of Neurology, Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China.
| | - Yong Shen
- Department of Neurology, Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China; Neurodegenerative Disorder Research Center, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomedical Aging Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China.
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17
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Kesler SR, Henneghan AM, Prinsloo S, Palesh O, Wintermark M. Neuroimaging based biotypes for precision diagnosis and prognosis in cancer-related cognitive impairment. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1199605. [PMID: 37720513 PMCID: PMC10499624 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1199605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is commonly associated with cancer and its treatments, yet the present binary diagnostic approach fails to capture the full spectrum of this syndrome. Cognitive function is highly complex and exists on a continuum that is poorly characterized by dichotomous categories. Advanced statistical methodologies applied to symptom assessments have demonstrated that there are multiple subclasses of CRCI. However, studies suggest that relying on symptom assessments alone may fail to account for significant differences in the neural mechanisms that underlie a specific cognitive phenotype. Treatment plans that address the specific physiologic mechanisms involved in an individual patient's condition is the heart of precision medicine. In this narrative review, we discuss how biotyping, a precision medicine framework being utilized in other mental disorders, could be applied to CRCI. Specifically, we discuss how neuroimaging can be used to determine biotypes of CRCI, which allow for increased precision in prediction and diagnosis of CRCI via biologic mechanistic data. Biotypes may also provide more precise clinical endpoints for intervention trials. Biotyping could be made more feasible with proxy imaging technologies or liquid biomarkers. Large cross-sectional phenotyping studies are needed in addition to evaluation of longitudinal trajectories, and data sharing/pooling is highly feasible with currently available digital infrastructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelli R. Kesler
- Division of Adult Health, School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine, Dell School of Medicine, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Department of Oncology, Dell School of Medicine, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Ashley M. Henneghan
- Division of Adult Health, School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Department of Oncology, Dell School of Medicine, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Sarah Prinsloo
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Oxana Palesh
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Max Wintermark
- Department of Neuroradiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer, Houston, TX, United States
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18
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Wang ZB, Tan L, Wang HF, Chen SD, Fu Y, Gao PY, Ma YH, Guo Y, Hou JH, Zhang DD, Yu JT. Differences between ante mortem Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in predicting neuropathology at autopsy. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:3613-3624. [PMID: 36840620 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study aimed to assess whether biomarkers related to amyloid, tau, and neurodegeneration can accurately predict Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology at autopsy in early and late clinical stages. METHODS We included 100 participants who had ante mortem biomarker measurements and underwent post mortem neuropathological examination. Based on ante mortem clinical diagnosis, participants were divided into non-dementia and dementia, as early or late clinical stages. RESULTS Amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid beta (Aβ)42/phosphorylated tau (p-tau)181 showed excellent performance in differentiating autopsy-confirmed AD and predicting the risk of neuropathological changes in early and late clinical stages. However, CSF Aβ42 performed better in the early clinical stage, while CSF p-tau181, CSF t-tau, and plasma p-tau181 performed better in the late clinical stage. DISCUSSION Our findings provide important clinical information that, if using PET, CSF, and plasma biomarkers to detect AD pathology, researchers must consider their differential performances at different clinical stages of AD. HIGHLIGHTS Amyloid PET and CSF Aβ42/p-tau181 were the most promising candidate biomarkers for predicting AD pathology. CSF Aβ42 can serve as a candidate predictive biomarker in the early clinical stage of AD. CSF p-tau181, CSF t-tau, and plasma p-tau181 can serve as candidate predictive biomarkers in the late clinical stage of AD. Combining APOE ε4 genotypes can significantly improve the predictive accuracy of AD-related biomarkers for AD pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Bo Wang
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Lan Tan
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Hui-Fu Wang
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shi-Dong Chen
- Department of Neurology and National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Fu
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Pei-Yang Gao
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ya-Hui Ma
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yu Guo
- Department of Neurology and National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Hui Hou
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Dan-Dan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jin-Tai Yu
- Department of Neurology and National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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19
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Xu C, Zhao L, Dong C. The performance of plasma phosphorylated tau231 in detecting Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Eur J Neurosci 2023; 58:3132-3149. [PMID: 37501373 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) phosphorylated tau231 (P-tau231) is associated with neuropathological outcomes of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The invasive access of cerebrospinal fluid has greatly stimulated interest in the identification of blood-based P-tau231, and the recent advent of single-molecule array assay for the quantification of plasma P-tau231 may provide a turning point to evaluate the usefulness of P-tau231 as an AD-related biomarker. Yet, in the plasma P-tau231 literature, findings with regard to its diagnostic utility have been inconsistent, and thus, we aimed to statistically investigate the potential of plasma P-tau231 in the context of AD via meta-analysis. Publications on plasma P-tau231 were systematically retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane library and Web of Science databases. A total of 10 studies covering 2007 participants were included, and we conducted random-effect or fixed-effect meta-analysis, sensitivity analysis and publication bias analysis using the STATA SE 14.0 software. According to our quantitative integration, plasma P-tau231 increased from cognitively unimpaired (CU) populations to mild cognitive impairment to AD and showed significant changes in pairwise comparisons of AD, mild cognitive impairment and CU. Plasma P-tau231 level was significantly higher in CU controls with positive amyloid-β (Aβ) status compared with Aβ-negative CU group. Additionally, the excellent diagnostic accuracy of plasma P-tau231 for asymptomatic Aβ pathology was verified by the pooled value of area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (standard mean difference [95% confidence interval]: .75 [.69, .81], P < 0.00001). Overall, the increased plasma P-tau231 concentrations were found in relation to the early development and progression of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Xu
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Li Zhao
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Chunbo Dong
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
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20
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Kodosaki E, Zetterberg H, Heslegrave A. Validating blood tests as a possible routine diagnostic assay of Alzheimer's disease. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2023; 23:1153-1165. [PMID: 38018372 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2023.2289553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In recent years, exciting developments in disease modifying treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) have made accurate and timely diagnosis of this disease a priority. Blood biomarkers (BBMs) for amyloid pathology using improved immunoassay and mass spectrometry techniques have been an area of intense research for the last 10 years and are coming to the fore, as a real prospect to be used in the clinical diagnostics of the disease. AREAS COVERED The following review will update and discuss blood biomarkers that will be most useful in diagnosing AD and the context necessary for their implementation. EXPERT OPINION It is clear we now have BBMs, and technology to measure them, that are capable of detecting amyloid pathology in AD. The challenge is to validate them across platforms and populations to incorporate them into clinical practice. It is important that implementation comes with education, we need to give clinicians the tools for appropriate use and interpretation. It is feasible that BBMs will be used to screen populations, initially for clinical trial entry but also therapeutic intervention in the foreseeable future. We now need to focus BBM research on other pathologies to ensure we accelerate the development of therapeutics for all neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleftheria Kodosaki
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Centre, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology,Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Hong Kong Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Amanda Heslegrave
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
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21
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Van Egroo M, Riphagen JM, Ashton NJ, Janelidze S, Sperling RA, Johnson KA, Yang HS, Bennett DA, Blennow K, Hansson O, Zetterberg H, Jacobs HIL. Ultra-high field imaging, plasma markers and autopsy data uncover a specific rostral locus coeruleus vulnerability to hyperphosphorylated tau. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:2412-2422. [PMID: 37020050 PMCID: PMC10073793 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02041-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Autopsy data indicate that the locus coeruleus (LC) is one of the first sites in the brain to accumulate hyperphosphorylated tau pathology, with the rostral part possibly being more vulnerable in the earlier stages of the disease. Taking advantage of recent developments in ultra-high field (7 T) imaging, we investigated whether imaging measures of the LC also reveal a specific anatomic correlation with tau using novel plasma biomarkers of different species of hyperphosphorylated tau, how early in adulthood these associations can be detected and if are associated with worse cognitive performance. To validate the anatomic correlations, we tested if a rostro-caudal gradient in tau pathology is also detected at autopsy in data from the Rush Memory and Aging Project (MAP). We found that higher plasma measures of phosphorylated tau, in particular ptau231, correlated negatively with dorso-rostral LC integrity, whereas correlations for neurodegenerative plasma markers (neurofilament light, total tau) were scattered throughout the LC including middle to caudal sections. In contrast, the plasma Aβ42/40 ratio, associated with brain amyloidosis, did not correlate with LC integrity. These findings were specific to the rostral LC and not observed when using the entire LC or the hippocampus. Furthermore, in the MAP data, we observed higher rostral than caudal tangle density in the LC, independent of the disease stage. The in vivo LC-phosphorylated tau correlations became significant from midlife, with the earliest effect for ptau231, starting at about age 55. Finally, interactions between lower rostral LC integrity and higher ptau231 concentrations predicted lower cognitive performance. Together, these findings demonstrate a specific rostral vulnerability to early phosphorylated tau species that can be detected with dedicated magnetic resonance imaging measures, highlighting the promise of LC imaging as an early marker of AD-related processes.
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Grants
- R01 AG017917 NIA NIH HHS
- R01 AG068398 NIA NIH HHS
- R21 AG074220 NIA NIH HHS
- K23 AG062750 NIA NIH HHS
- R01 AG068062 NIA NIH HHS
- K01 AG001016 NIA NIH HHS
- ZEN-21-848495 Alzheimer's Association
- P01 AG036694 NIA NIH HHS
- R01 AG062559 NIA NIH HHS
- R01 AG015819 NIA NIH HHS
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute on Aging (U.S. National Institute on Aging)
- Alzheimer Nederland WE.03-2019-02
- BrightFocus Foundation (BrightFocus)
- Alzheimer’s Association
- Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF)
- Swedish Research Council (#2017-00915), the Alzheimer Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), USA (#RDAPB-201809-2016615), the Swedish Alzheimer Foundation (#AF-930351, #AF-939721 and #AF-968270), Hjärnfonden, Sweden (#FO2017-0243 and #ALZ2022-0006), the Swedish state under the agreement between the Swedish government and the County Councils, the ALF-agreement (#ALFGBG-715986 and #ALFGBG-965240), the European Union Joint Program for Neurodegenerative Disorders (JPND2019-466-236)
- Cure Alzheimer’s Fund (Alzheimer’s Disease Research Foundation)
- Swedish Research Council (2016-00906), the Knut and Alice Wallenberg foundation (2017-0383), the Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg foundation (2015.0125), the Strategic Research Area MultiPark (Multidisciplinary Research in Parkinson’s disease) at Lund University, the Swedish Alzheimer Foundation (AF-939932), the Swedish Brain Foundation (FO2021-0293), The Parkinson foundation of Sweden (1280/20), the Cure Alzheimer’s fund, the Konung Gustaf V:s och Drottning Victorias Frimurarestiftelse, the Skåne University Hospital Foundation (2020-O000028), Regionalt Forskningsstöd (2020-0314) and the Swedish federal government under the ALF agreement (2018-Projekt0279)
- HZ is a Wallenberg Scholar supported by grants from the Swedish Research Council (#2018-02532), the European Research Council (#681712 and #101053962), Swedish State Support for Clinical Research (#ALFGBG-71320), the Alzheimer Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), USA (#201809-2016862), the AD Strategic Fund and the Alzheimer’s Association (#ADSF-21-831376-C, #ADSF-21-831381-C, and #ADSF-21-831377-C), the Bluefield Project, the Olav Thon Foundation, the Erling-Persson Family Foundation, Stiftelsen för Gamla Tjänarinnor, Hjärnfonden, Sweden (#FO2022-0270), the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 860197 (MIRIADE), the European Union Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND2021-00694), and the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (UKDRI-1003).
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Van Egroo
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Alzheimer Centre Limburg, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joost M Riphagen
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicholas J Ashton
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Centre for Age-Related Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Institute Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health and Biomedical Research Unit for Dementia at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation, London, UK
| | - Shorena Janelidze
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Reisa A Sperling
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Keith A Johnson
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hyun-Sik Yang
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Oskar Hansson
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Memory Clinic, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Heidi I L Jacobs
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Alzheimer Centre Limburg, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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22
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Reitz C, Pericak-Vance MA, Foroud T, Mayeux R. A global view of the genetic basis of Alzheimer disease. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:261-277. [PMID: 37024647 PMCID: PMC10686263 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00789-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
The risk of Alzheimer disease (AD) increases with age, family history and informative genetic variants. Sadly, there is still no cure or means of prevention. As in other complex diseases, uncovering genetic causes of AD could identify underlying pathological mechanisms and lead to potential treatments. Rare, autosomal dominant forms of AD occur in middle age as a result of highly penetrant genetic mutations, but the most common form of AD occurs later in life. Large-scale, genome-wide analyses indicate that 70 or more genes or loci contribute to AD. One of the major factors limiting progress is that most genetic data have been obtained from non-Hispanic white individuals in Europe and North America, preventing the development of personalized approaches to AD in individuals of other ethnicities. Fortunately, emerging genetic data from other regions - including Africa, Asia, India and South America - are now providing information on the disease from a broader range of ethnicities. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on AD genetics in populations across the world. We predominantly focus on replicated genetic discoveries but also include studies in ethnic groups where replication might not be feasible. We attempt to identify gaps that need to be addressed to achieve a complete picture of the genetic and molecular factors that drive AD in individuals across the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Reitz
- The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- The Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Margaret A Pericak-Vance
- The John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- The Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Tatiana Foroud
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- National Centralized Repository for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Richard Mayeux
- The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- The Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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23
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Malek-Ahmadi M, Su Y, Ghisays V, Luo J, Devadas V, Chen Y, Lee W, Protas H, Chen K, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Caselli RJ, Reiman EM. Plasma NfL is associated with the APOE ε4 allele, brain imaging measurements of neurodegeneration, and lower recall memory scores in cognitively unimpaired late-middle-aged and older adults. Alzheimers Res Ther 2023; 15:74. [PMID: 37038190 PMCID: PMC10084600 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-023-01221-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasma neurofilament light (NfL) is an indicator of neurodegeneration and/or neuroaxonal injury in persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and a wide range of other neurological disorders. Here, we characterized and compared plasma NfL concentrations in cognitively unimpaired (CU) late-middle-aged and older adults with two, one, or no copies of the APOE ε4 allele, the major genetic risk factor for AD. We then assessed plasma NfL associations with brain imaging measurements of AD-related neurodegeneration (hippocampal atrophy and a hypometabolic convergence index [HCI]), brain imaging measurements of amyloid-β plaque burden, tau tangle burden and white matter hyperintensity volume (WMHV), and delayed and total recall memory scores. METHODS Plasma NfL concentrations were measured in 543 CU 69 ± 9 year-old participants in the Arizona APOE Cohort Study, including 66 APOE ε4 homozygotes (HM), 165 heterozygotes (HT), and 312 non-carriers (NC). Robust regression models were used to characterize plasma NfL associations with APOE ε4 allelic dose before and after adjustment for age, sex, and education. They were also used to characterize plasma NfL associations with MRI-based hippocampal volume and WMHV measurements, an FDG PET-based HCI, mean cortical PiB PET measurements of amyloid-β plaque burden and meta-region-of-interest (meta-ROI) flortaucipir PET measurements of tau tangle burden, and Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) Delayed and Total Recall Memory scores. RESULTS After the adjustments noted above, plasma NfL levels were significantly greater in APOE ε4 homozygotes and heterozygotes than non-carriers and significantly associated with smaller hippocampal volumes (r = - 0.43), greater tangle burden in the entorhinal cortex and inferior temporal lobes (r = 0.49, r = 0.52, respectively), and lower delayed (r = - 0.27), and total (r = - 0.27) recall memory scores (p < 0.001). NfL levels were not significantly associated with PET measurements of amyloid-β plaque or total tangle burden. CONCLUSIONS Plasma NfL concentrations are associated with the APOE ε4 allele, brain imaging biomarkers of neurodegeneration, and less good recall memory in CU late-middle-aged and older adults, supporting its value as an indicator of neurodegeneration in the preclinical study of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yi Su
- Banner Alzheimer's Institute, 901 E. Willetta St., Phoenix, AZ, 85006, USA
| | - Valentina Ghisays
- Banner Alzheimer's Institute, 901 E. Willetta St., Phoenix, AZ, 85006, USA
| | - Ji Luo
- Banner Alzheimer's Institute, 901 E. Willetta St., Phoenix, AZ, 85006, USA
| | - Vivek Devadas
- Banner Alzheimer's Institute, 901 E. Willetta St., Phoenix, AZ, 85006, USA
| | - Yinghua Chen
- Banner Alzheimer's Institute, 901 E. Willetta St., Phoenix, AZ, 85006, USA
| | - Wendy Lee
- Banner Alzheimer's Institute, 901 E. Willetta St., Phoenix, AZ, 85006, USA
| | - Hillary Protas
- Banner Alzheimer's Institute, 901 E. Willetta St., Phoenix, AZ, 85006, USA
| | - Kewei Chen
- Banner Alzheimer's Institute, 901 E. Willetta St., Phoenix, AZ, 85006, USA
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | | | - Eric M Reiman
- Banner Alzheimer's Institute, 901 E. Willetta St., Phoenix, AZ, 85006, USA
- Translation Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
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Saunders TS, Pozzolo FE, Heslegrave A, King D, McGeachan RI, Spires-Jones MP, Harris SE, Ritchie C, Muniz-Terrera G, Deary IJ, Cox SR, Zetterberg H, Spires-Jones TL. Predictive blood biomarkers and brain changes associated with age-related cognitive decline. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad113. [PMID: 37180996 PMCID: PMC10167767 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence supports the use of plasma levels of tau phosphorylated at threonine 181, amyloid-β, neurofilament light and glial fibrillary acidic protein as promising biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease. While these blood biomarkers are promising for distinguishing people with Alzheimer's disease from healthy controls, their predictive validity for age-related cognitive decline without dementia remains unclear. Further, while tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 is a promising biomarker, the distribution of this phospho-epitope of tau in the brain is unknown. Here, we tested whether plasma levels of tau phosphorylated at threonine 181, amyloid-β, neurofilament light and fibrillary acidic protein predict cognitive decline between ages 72 and 82 in 195 participants in the Lothian birth cohorts 1936 study of cognitive ageing. We further examined post-mortem brain samples from temporal cortex to determine the distribution of tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 in the brain. Several forms of tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 have been shown to contribute to synapse degeneration in Alzheimer's disease, which correlates closely with cognitive decline in this form of dementia, but to date, there have not been investigations of whether tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 is found in synapses in Alzheimer's disease or healthy ageing brain. It was also previously unclear whether tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 accumulated in dystrophic neurites around plaques, which could contribute to tau leakage to the periphery due to impaired membrane integrity in dystrophies. Brain homogenate and biochemically enriched synaptic fractions were examined with western blot to examine tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 levels between groups (n = 10-12 per group), and synaptic and astrocytic localization of tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 were examined using array tomography (n = 6-15 per group), and localization of tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 in plaque-associated dystrophic neurites with associated gliosis were examined with standard immunofluorescence (n = 8-9 per group). Elevated baseline plasma tau phosphorylated at threonine 181, neurofilament light and fibrillary acidic protein predicted steeper general cognitive decline during ageing. Further, increasing tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 over time predicted general cognitive decline in females only. Change in plasma tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 remained a significant predictor of g factor decline when taking into account Alzheimer's disease polygenic risk score, indicating that the increase of blood tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 in this cohort was not only due to incipient Alzheimer's disease. Tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 was observed in synapses and astrocytes in both healthy ageing and Alzheimer's disease brain. We observed that a significantly higher proportion of synapses contain tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 in Alzheimer's disease relative to aged controls. Aged controls with pre-morbid lifetime cognitive resilience had significantly more tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 in fibrillary acidic protein-positive astrocytes than those with pre-morbid lifetime cognitive decline. Further, tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 was found in dystrophic neurites around plaques and in some neurofibrillary tangles. The presence of tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 in plaque-associated dystrophies may be a source of leakage of tau out of neurons that eventually enters the blood. Together, these data indicate that plasma tau phosphorylated at threonine 181, neurofilament light and fibrillary acidic protein may be useful biomarkers of age-related cognitive decline, and that efficient clearance of tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 by astrocytes may promote cognitive resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler S Saunders
- UK Dementia Research Institute and Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
- Edinburgh Dementia Prevention & Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Francesca E Pozzolo
- UK Dementia Research Institute and Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Amanda Heslegrave
- United Kingdom UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Declan King
- UK Dementia Research Institute and Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Robert I McGeachan
- UK Dementia Research Institute and Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Maxwell P Spires-Jones
- UK Dementia Research Institute and Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Sarah E Harris
- Lothian Birth Cohort studies, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9AD, UK
| | - Craig Ritchie
- Edinburgh Dementia Prevention & Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Graciela Muniz-Terrera
- Edinburgh Dementia Prevention & Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
- Department of Social Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701, USA
- Latin American Institute for Brain Health (BrainLat), Universidad Adolfo Ibanez, Santiago 3485, Chile
| | - Ian J Deary
- Lothian Birth Cohort studies, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9AD, UK
| | - Simon R Cox
- Lothian Birth Cohort studies, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9AD, UK
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- United Kingdom UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, S-431 80 Molndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, S-431 80 Molndal, Sweden
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tara L Spires-Jones
- UK Dementia Research Institute and Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
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Montoliu-Gaya L, Alcolea D, Ashton NJ, Pegueroles J, Levin J, Bosch B, Lantero-Rodriguez J, Carmona-Iragui M, Wagemann O, Balasa M, Kac PR, Barroeta I, Lladó A, Brum WS, Videla L, Gonzalez-Ortiz F, Benejam B, Arranz Martínez JJ, Karikari TK, Nübling G, Bejanin A, Benedet AL, Blesa R, Lleó A, Blennow K, Sánchez-Valle R, Zetterberg H, Fortea J. Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid glial fibrillary acidic protein levels in adults with Down syndrome: a longitudinal cohort study. EBioMedicine 2023; 90:104547. [PMID: 37002988 PMCID: PMC10070083 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diagnosis of symptomatic Alzheimer's disease is a clinical challenge in adults with Down syndrome. Blood biomarkers would be of particular clinical importance in this population. The astrocytic Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) is a marker of astrogliosis associated with amyloid pathology, but its longitudinal changes, association with other biomarkers and cognitive performance have not been studied in individuals with Down syndrome. METHODS We performed a three-centre study of adults with Down syndrome, autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease and euploid individuals enrolled in Hospital Sant Pau, Barcelona (Spain), Hospital Clinic, Barcelona (Spain) and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich (Germany). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma GFAP concentrations were quantified using Simoa. A subset of participants had PET 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose, amyloid tracers and MRI measurements. FINDINGS This study included 997 individuals, 585 participants with Down syndrome, 61 Familial Alzheimer's disease mutation carriers and 351 euploid individuals along the Alzheimer's disease continuum, recruited between November 2008 and May 2022. Participants with Down syndrome were clinically classified at baseline as asymptomatic, prodromal Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease dementia. Plasma GFAP levels were significantly increased in prodromal and Alzheimer's disease dementia compared to asymptomatic individuals and increased in parallel to CSF Aβ changes, ten years prior to amyloid PET positivity. Plasma GFAP presented the highest diagnostic performance to discriminate symptomatic from asymptomatic groups (AUC = 0.93, 95% CI 0.9-0.95) and its concentrations were significantly higher in progressors vs non-progressors (p < 0.001), showing an increase of 19.8% (11.8-33.0) per year in participants with dementia. Finally, plasma GFAP levels were highly correlated with cortical thinning and brain amyloid pathology. INTERPRETATION Our findings support the utility of plasma GFAP as a biomarker of Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down syndrome, with possible applications in clinical practice and clinical trials. FUNDING AC Immune, La Caixa Foundation, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, National Institute on Aging, Wellcome Trust, Jérôme Lejeune Foundation, Medical Research Council, Alzheimer's Association, National Institute for Health Research, EU Joint Programme-Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Alzheimer's Society, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Stiftung für die Erforschung von Verhaltens, Fundación Tatiana Pérez de Guzmán el Bueno & European Union's Horizon 2020 und Umwelteinflüssen auf die menschliche Gesundheit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Montoliu-Gaya
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Daniel Alcolea
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Nicholas J Ashton
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden; Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health & Biomedical Research Unit for Dementia at South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation, London, UK
| | - Jordi Pegueroles
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Johannes Levin
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Beatriz Bosch
- Alzheimer's Disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Lantero-Rodriguez
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - María Carmona-Iragui
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain; Barcelona Down Medical Center, Fundació Catalana Síndrome de Down, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olivia Wagemann
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Mircea Balasa
- Alzheimer's Disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Przemyslaw Radoslaw Kac
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Isabel Barroeta
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Albert Lladó
- Alzheimer's Disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Wagner S Brum
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Laura Videla
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain; Barcelona Down Medical Center, Fundació Catalana Síndrome de Down, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fernando Gonzalez-Ortiz
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Bessy Benejam
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain; Barcelona Down Medical Center, Fundació Catalana Síndrome de Down, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier José Arranz Martínez
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Thomas K Karikari
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Georg Nübling
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Alexandre Bejanin
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrea L Benedet
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Rafael Blesa
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Lleó
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Raquel Sánchez-Valle
- Alzheimer's Disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil; Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK; Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, China
| | - Juan Fortea
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain; Barcelona Down Medical Center, Fundació Catalana Síndrome de Down, Barcelona, Spain.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Several plasma biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (ADRD) have demonstrated clinical and technical robustness. However, are they ready for clinical implementation? This review critically appraises current evidence for and against the immediate use of plasma biomarkers in clinical care. RECENT FINDINGS Plasma biomarkers have significantly improved our understanding of ADRD time-course, risk factors, diagnosis and prognosis. These advances are accelerating the development and in-human testing of therapeutic candidates, and the selection of individuals with subtle biological evidence of disease who fit the criteria for early therapeutic targeting. However, standardized tests and well validated cut-off values are lacking. Moreover, some assays (e.g., plasma Aβ methods) have poor robustness to withstand inevitable day-to-day technical variations. Additionally, recent reports suggest that common comorbidities of aging (e.g., kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension) can erroneously affect plasma biomarker levels, clinical utility and generalizability. Furthermore, it is unclear if health disparities can explain reported racial/ethnic differences in biomarker levels and functions. Finally, current clinically approved plasma methods are more expensive than CSF assays, questioning their cost effectiveness. SUMMARY Plasma biomarkers have biological and clinical capacity to detect ADRD. However, their widespread use requires issues around thresholds, comorbidities and diverse populations to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wasiu G. Balogun
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, China
- Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Thomas K. Karikari
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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27
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Beyer L, Stocker H, Rujescu D, Holleczek B, Stockmann J, Nabers A, Brenner H, Gerwert K. Amyloid-beta misfolding and GFAP predict risk of clinical Alzheimer's disease diagnosis within 17 years. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:1020-1028. [PMID: 35852967 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) are urgently needed. Here, four plasma biomarkers were measured at baseline in a community-based cohort followed over 17 years, and the association with clinical AD risk was determined. METHODS Amyloid beta (Aβ) misfolding status as a structure-based biomarker as well as phosphorylated tau 181 (P-tau181), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neurofilament light (NfL) concentration levels were determined at baseline in heparin plasma from 68 participants who were diagnosed with AD and 240 controls without dementia diagnosis throughout follow-up. RESULTS Aβ misfolding exhibited high disease prediction accuracy of AD diagnosis within 17 years. Among the concentration markers, GFAP showed the best performance, followed by NfL and P-tau181. The combination of Aβ misfolding and GFAP increased the accuracy. DISCUSSION Aβ misfolding and GFAP showed a strong ability to predict clinical AD risk and may be important early AD risk markers. Aβ misfolding illustrated its potential as a prescreening tool for AD risk stratification in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léon Beyer
- Center for Protein Diagnostics (PRODI), Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Department of Biophysics, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Hannah Stocker
- Network Aging Research, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dan Rujescu
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Julia Stockmann
- Center for Protein Diagnostics (PRODI), Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Department of Biophysics, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Andreas Nabers
- Center for Protein Diagnostics (PRODI), Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Department of Biophysics, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Hermann Brenner
- Network Aging Research, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Klaus Gerwert
- Center for Protein Diagnostics (PRODI), Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Department of Biophysics, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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28
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Abed SS, Hamdan FB, Hussein MM, Al-Mayah QS. Plasma tau and neurofilament light chain as biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease and their relation to cognitive functions. J Med Life 2023; 16:284-289. [PMID: 36937471 PMCID: PMC10015560 DOI: 10.25122/jml-2022-0251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia is the most frequent cause of neurodegenerative dementia. The cognitive and behavioral symptoms associated with this disorder often have overlapping characteristics, potentially resulting in delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. This study aimed to assess the level of peripheral blood neurofilament light chain (NfL) and total tau (t-tau) protein in AD patients and investigate their relationship with cognitive impairment. The study included 80 participants of both sexes between the ages of 60 to 85 years. The participants were divided into two groups, consisting of 40 individuals in the control group (mean age 75±6.6 years) who had no cognitive or functional impairments and 40 AD patients (mean age 74.98±5.03 years). This study utilized the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for major or mild neurocognitive disorder attributed to Alzheimer's disease (AD). The clinical and biochemical features of all participants were documented, and the Alzheimer's disease Assessment Scale cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) scores were evaluated. Sandwich ELISA was employed to determine serum NfL and t-tau protein levels. The median serum NfL and t-tau protein levels in AD patients were significantly higher than those of the controls (47.84 pg/ml versus 17.66 pg/ml and 12.05 pg/ml versus 11.13 pg/ml, respectively). Age was positively correlated with NfL, t-tau levels, and ADAS-cog. Although elevated NfL and t-tau protein levels may play a role in disease progression, their diagnostic value for AD was limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadiruldeen Sami Abed
- Department of Pharmacy, Osol Aldeen University College, Baghdad, Iraq
- Corresponding Author: Sadiruldeen Sami Abed, Department of Pharmacy, Osol Aldeen University College, Baghdad, Iraq. E-mail:
| | - Farqad Bader Hamdan
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
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29
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Frigerio I, Laansma MA, Lin CP, Hermans EJM, Bouwman MMA, Bol JGJM, Galis-de Graaf Y, Hepp DH, Rozemuller AJM, Barkhof F, van de Berg WDJ, Jonkman LE. Neurofilament light chain is increased in the parahippocampal cortex and associates with pathological hallmarks in Parkinson's disease dementia. Transl Neurodegener 2023; 12:3. [PMID: 36658627 PMCID: PMC9854202 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-022-00328-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased neurofilament levels in biofluids are commonly used as a proxy for neurodegeneration in several neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, we aimed to investigate the distribution of neurofilaments in the cerebral cortex of Parkinson's disease (PD), PD with dementia (PDD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) donors, and its association with pathology load and MRI measures of atrophy and diffusivity. METHODS Using a within-subject post-mortem MRI-pathology approach, we included 9 PD, 12 PDD/DLB and 18 age-matched control donors. Cortical thickness and mean diffusivity (MD) metrics were extracted respectively from 3DT1 and DTI at 3T in-situ MRI. After autopsy, pathological hallmarks (pSer129-αSyn, p-tau and amyloid-β load) together with neurofilament light-chain (NfL) and phosphorylated-neurofilament medium- and heavy-chain (p-NfM/H) immunoreactivity were quantified in seven cortical regions, and studied in detail with confocal-laser scanning microscopy. The correlations between MRI and pathological measures were studied using linear mixed models. RESULTS Compared to controls, p-NfM/H immunoreactivity was increased in all cortical regions in PD and PDD/DLB, whereas NfL immunoreactivity was increased in the parahippocampal and entorhinal cortex in PDD/DLB. NfL-positive neurons showed degenerative morphological features and axonal fragmentation. The increased p-NfM/H correlated with p-tau load, and NfL correlated with pSer129-αSyn but more strongly with p-tau load in PDD/DLB. Lastly, neurofilament immunoreactivity correlated with cortical thinning in PD and with increased cortical MD in PDD/DLB. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, increased neurofilament immunoreactivity suggests underlying axonal injury and neurofilament accumulation in morphologically altered neurons with increased pathological burden. Importantly, we demonstrate that such neurofilament markers at least partly explain MRI measures that are associated with the neurodegenerative process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Frigerio
- Section Clinical Neuroanatomy and Biobanking, Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1118, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,Amsterdam Neuroscience, Brain Imaging, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Max A. Laansma
- grid.12380.380000 0004 1754 9227Section Clinical Neuroanatomy and Biobanking, Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1118, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.484519.5Amsterdam Neuroscience, Brain Imaging, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Chen-Pei Lin
- grid.12380.380000 0004 1754 9227Section Clinical Neuroanatomy and Biobanking, Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1118, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.484519.5Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.484519.5Amsterdam Neuroscience, Brain Imaging, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Emma J. M. Hermans
- grid.12380.380000 0004 1754 9227Section Clinical Neuroanatomy and Biobanking, Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1118, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maud M. A. Bouwman
- grid.12380.380000 0004 1754 9227Section Clinical Neuroanatomy and Biobanking, Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1118, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.484519.5Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.484519.5Amsterdam Neuroscience, Brain Imaging, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - John G. J. M. Bol
- grid.12380.380000 0004 1754 9227Section Clinical Neuroanatomy and Biobanking, Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1118, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yvon Galis-de Graaf
- grid.12380.380000 0004 1754 9227Section Clinical Neuroanatomy and Biobanking, Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1118, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dagmar H. Hepp
- grid.12380.380000 0004 1754 9227Section Clinical Neuroanatomy and Biobanking, Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1118, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.12380.380000 0004 1754 9227Department of Neurology, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annemieke J. M. Rozemuller
- grid.12380.380000 0004 1754 9227Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frederik Barkhof
- grid.484519.5Amsterdam Neuroscience, Brain Imaging, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.12380.380000 0004 1754 9227Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.83440.3b0000000121901201Institutes of Neurology and Healthcare Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - Wilma D. J. van de Berg
- grid.12380.380000 0004 1754 9227Section Clinical Neuroanatomy and Biobanking, Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1118, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.484519.5Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Laura E. Jonkman
- grid.12380.380000 0004 1754 9227Section Clinical Neuroanatomy and Biobanking, Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1118, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.484519.5Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.484519.5Amsterdam Neuroscience, Brain Imaging, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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CSF1R inhibitors induce a sex-specific resilient microglial phenotype and functional rescue in a tauopathy mouse model. Nat Commun 2023; 14:118. [PMID: 36624100 PMCID: PMC9829908 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35753-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglia are central to pathogenesis in many neurological conditions. Drugs targeting colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF1R) to block microglial proliferation in preclinical disease models have shown mixed outcomes, thus the therapeutic potential of this approach remains unclear. Here, we show that CSF1R inhibitors given by multiple dosing paradigms in the Tg2541 tauopathy mouse model cause a sex-independent reduction in pathogenic tau and reversion of non-microglial gene expression patterns toward a normal wild type signature. Despite greater drug exposure in male mice, only female mice have functional rescue and extended survival. A dose-dependent upregulation of immediate early genes and neurotransmitter dysregulation are observed in the brains of male mice only, indicating that excitotoxicity may preclude functional benefits. Drug-resilient microglia in male mice exhibit morphological and gene expression patterns consistent with increased neuroinflammatory signaling, suggesting a mechanistic basis for sex-specific excitotoxicity. Complete microglial ablation is neither required nor desirable for neuroprotection and therapeutics targeting microglia must consider sex-dependent effects.
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31
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Stocker H, Beyer L, Perna L, Rujescu D, Holleczek B, Beyreuther K, Stockmann J, Schöttker B, Gerwert K, Brenner H. Association of plasma biomarkers, p-tau181, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and neurofilament light, with intermediate and long-term clinical Alzheimer's disease risk: Results from a prospective cohort followed over 17 years. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:25-35. [PMID: 35234335 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Blood biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) are the future of AD risk assessment. The aim of this study was to determine the association between plasma-measured phosphorylated tau (p-tau181), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neurofilament light (NfL) levels and risk of clinical AD incidence with consideration to the impact of cardiovascular health. METHODS Within a community-based cohort, biomarker levels were measured at baseline using single molecule array technology in 768 participants (aged 50-75) followed over 17 years. Associations among biomarkers and AD, vascular dementia, and mixed dementia incidence were assessed. RESULTS GFAP was associated with clinical AD incidence even more than a decade before diagnosis (9-17 years), while p-tau181 and NfL were associated with more intermediate AD risk (within 9 years). Significant interaction was detected between cardiovascular health and p-tau181/NfL. DISCUSSION GFAP may be an early AD biomarker increasing before p-tau181 and NfL and the effect modifying role of cardiovascular health should be considered in biomarker risk stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Stocker
- Network Aging Research, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Léon Beyer
- Center for Protein Diagnostics (ProDi), Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Biophysics, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Laura Perna
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry - Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Dan Rujescu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Julia Stockmann
- Center for Protein Diagnostics (ProDi), Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Biophysics, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Ben Schöttker
- Network Aging Research, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Klaus Gerwert
- Center for Protein Diagnostics (ProDi), Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Biophysics, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Hermann Brenner
- Network Aging Research, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
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Gu L, Shu H, Wang Y, Wang P. Blood Neurofilament Light Chain in Different Types of Dementia. Curr Alzheimer Res 2023; 20:149-160. [PMID: 37264656 DOI: 10.2174/1567205020666230601123123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The study aimed to evaluate diagnostic values of circulating neurofilament light chain (NFL) levels in different types of dementia. BACKGROUND Previous studies reported inconsistent change of blood NFL for different types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and Lewy body dementia (LBD). OBJECTIVE Meta-analysis was conducted to summarize the results of studies evaluating diagnostic values of circulating NFL levels in different types of dementia to enhance the strength of evidence. METHODS Articles evaluating change in blood NFL levels in dementia and published before July 2022 were searched on the following databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Medline and Google Scholar). The computed results were obtained by using STATA 12.0 software. RESULTS AD patients showed increased NFL concentrations in serum and plasma, compared to healthy controls (HC) (standard mean difference (SMD) = 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.48, 1.70, I2 = 97.4%, p < 0.001). In AD patients, higher NFL concentrations in serum and plasma were associated with reduced cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Aβ1-42, increased CSF t-tau, increased CSF p-tau, reduced Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and decreased memory. Additionally, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) showed elevated NFL concentrations in serum and plasma, compared to HC (SMD = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.18, 0.87, I2 = 93.8%, p < 0.001). However, in MCI, no significant association was found between NFL concentrations in serum, plasma and memory or visuospatial function. No significant difference was found between preclinical AD and HC (SMD = 0.18, 95% CI: -0.10, 0.47, I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.438). FTD patients showed increased NFL concentrations in serum and plasma, compared to HC (SMD = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.72, 1.43, I2 = 83.3%, p < 0.001). Higher NFL concentrations in serum and plasma were associated with increased CSF NFL in FTD. Additionally, the pooled parameters calculated were as follows: sensitivity, 0.82 (95% CI: 0.72, 0.90); specificity, 0.91 (95% CI: 0.83, 0.96). CJD patients showed increased NFL concentrations in serum and plasma, compared to HC. No significant difference in NFL level in serum and plasma was shown between AD and FTD (SMD = -0.03, 95% CI: -0.77, 0.72, I2 = 83.3%, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION In conclusion, the study suggested abnormal blood NFL level in AD and MCI, but not in preclinical AD. FTD and CJD showed abnormal blood NFL levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Gu
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, 300222, Tianjin, China
| | - Hao Shu
- Department of Neurology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210031, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanjuan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Pan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, 300222, Tianjin, China
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Merten N, Pinto AA, Paulsen AJ, Chen Y, Engelman CD, Hancock LM, Johnson SC, Schubert CR. Associations of Midlife Lifestyle and Health Factors with Long-Term Changes in Blood-Based Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease and Neurodegeneration. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 94:1381-1395. [PMID: 37393497 PMCID: PMC10461414 DOI: 10.3233/jad-221287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathological biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias can change decades before clinical symptoms. Lifestyle and health factors might be relevant modifiable risk factors for dementia. Many previous studies have been focusing on associations of lifestyle and health-related factors with clinical outcomes later in life. OBJECTIVE We aimed to determine to what extent midlife factors of lifestyle, inflammation, vascular, and metabolic health were associated with long-term changes in blood-based biomarkers of AD (amyloid beta (Aβ)) and neurodegeneration (neurofilament light chain (NfL); total tau(TTau)). METHODS In 1,529 Beaver Dam Offspring Study (BOSS) participants (mean age 49 years, standard deviation (SD) = 9; 54% were women), we applied mixed-effects models with baseline risk factors as determinants and 10-year serum biomarker change as outcomes. RESULTS We found that education and inflammatory markers were associated with levels and/or change over time across all three markers of AD and neurodegeneration in the blood. There were baseline associations of measures of cardiovascular health with lower Aβ42/Aβ40. TTau changed little over time and was higher in individuals with diabetes. Individuals with lower risk in a number of cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, including diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis had slower accumulation of neurodegeneration over time, as determined by NfL levels. CONCLUSION Various lifestyle and health factors, including education and inflammation, were associated with longitudinal changes of neurodegenerative and AD biomarker levels in midlife. If confirmed, these findings could have important implications for developing early lifestyle and health interventions that could potentially slow processes of neurodegeneration and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natascha Merten
- Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA
- Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA
| | - A Alex Pinto
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA
| | - Adam J Paulsen
- Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA
| | - Yanjun Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA
| | - Corinne D Engelman
- Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA
| | - Laura M Hancock
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA
- William S Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, WI, USA
| | - Sterling C Johnson
- Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA
- Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA
| | - Carla R Schubert
- Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA
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Graff-Radford J, Mielke MM, Hofrenning EI, Kouri N, Lesnick TG, Moloney CM, Rabinstein A, Cabrera-Rodriguez JN, Rothberg DM, Przybelski SA, Petersen RC, Knopman DS, Dickson DW, Jack CR, Algeciras-Schimnich A, Nguyen AT, Murray ME, Vemuri P. Association of plasma biomarkers of amyloid and neurodegeneration with cerebrovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Aging 2022; 119:1-7. [PMID: 35952440 PMCID: PMC9732897 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2022.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the differential mapping of plasma biomarkers to postmortem neuropathology measures. We identified 64 participants in a population-based study with antemortem plasma markers (amyloid-β [Aβ] x-42, Aβx-40, neurofilament light [NfL], and total tau [T-tau]) who also had neuropathologic assessments of Alzheimer's and cerebrovascular pathology. We conducted weighted linear-regression models to evaluate relationships between plasma measures and neuropathology. Higher plasma NfL and Aβ42/40 ratio were associated with cerebrovascular neuropathologic scales (p < 0.05) but not with Braak stage, neuritic plaque score, or Thal phase. Plasma Aβ42/40 and NfL explained up to 18% of the variability in cerebrovascular neuropathologic scales. In participants predominantly with modest levels of Alzheimer's pathologic change, biomarkers of amyloid and neurodegeneration were associated with cerebrovascular neuropathology. NfL is a non-specific marker of brain injury, therefore its association with cerebrovascular neuropathology was expected. The association between elevated Aβ42/40 and cerebrovascular disease pathology needs further investigation but could be due to the use of less specific amyloid-β assays (x-40, x-42).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michelle M Mielke
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Naomi Kouri
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Timothy G Lesnick
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Scott A Przybelski
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Aivi T Nguyen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Petzold A. The 2022 Lady Estelle Wolfson lectureship on neurofilaments. J Neurochem 2022; 163:179-219. [PMID: 35950263 PMCID: PMC9826399 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Neurofilament proteins (Nf) have been validated and established as a reliable body fluid biomarker for neurodegenerative pathology. This review covers seven Nf isoforms, Nf light (NfL), two splicing variants of Nf medium (NfM), two splicing variants of Nf heavy (NfH),α -internexin (INA) and peripherin (PRPH). The genetic and epigenetic aspects of Nf are discussed as relevant for neurodegenerative diseases and oncology. The comprehensive list of mutations for all Nf isoforms covers Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Charcot-Marie Tooth disease, Spinal muscular atrophy, Parkinson Disease and Lewy Body Dementia. Next, emphasis is given to the expanding field of post-translational modifications (PTM) of the Nf amino acid residues. Protein structural aspects are reviewed alongside PTMs causing neurodegenerative pathology and human autoimmunity. Molecular visualisations of NF PTMs, assembly and stoichiometry make use of Alphafold2 modelling. The implications for Nf function on the cellular level and axonal transport are discussed. Neurofilament aggregate formation and proteolytic breakdown are reviewed as relevant for biomarker tests and disease. Likewise, Nf stoichiometry is reviewed with regard to in vitro experiments and as a compensatory mechanism in neurodegeneration. The review of Nf across a spectrum of 87 diseases from all parts of medicine is followed by a critical appraisal of 33 meta-analyses on Nf body fluid levels. The review concludes with considerations for clinical trial design and an outlook for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Petzold
- Department of NeurodegenerationQueen Square Insitute of Neurology, UCLLondonUK
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36
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Pontecorvo MJ, Lu M, Burnham SC, Schade AE, Dage JL, Shcherbinin S, Collins EC, Sims JR, Mintun MA. Association of Donanemab Treatment With Exploratory Plasma Biomarkers in Early Symptomatic Alzheimer Disease: A Secondary Analysis of the TRAILBLAZER-ALZ Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Neurol 2022; 79:1250-1259. [PMID: 36251300 PMCID: PMC9577883 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2022.3392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Importance Plasma biomarkers of Alzheimer disease may be useful as minimally invasive pharmacodynamic measures of treatment outcomes. Objective To analyze the association of donanemab treatment with plasma biomarkers associated with Alzheimer disease. Design, Setting, and Participants TRAILBLAZER-ALZ was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted from December 18, 2017, to December 4, 2020, across 56 sites in the US and Canada. Exploratory biomarkers were prespecified with the post hoc addition of plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein and amyloid-β. Men and women aged 60 to 85 years with gradual and progressive change in memory function for at least 6 months were included. A total of 1955 participants were assessed for eligibility. Key eligibility criteria include Mini-Mental State Examination scores of 20 to 28 and elevated amyloid and intermediate tau levels. Interventions Randomized participants received donanemab or placebo every 4 weeks for up to 72 weeks. The first 3 doses of donanemab were given at 700 mg and then increased to 1400 mg with blinded dose reductions as specified based on amyloid reduction. Main Outcomes and Measures Change in plasma biomarker levels after donanemab treatment. Results In TRAILBLAZER-ALZ, 272 participants (mean [SD] age, 75.2 [5.5] years; 145 [53.3%] female) were randomized. Plasma levels of phosphorylated tau217 (pTau217) and glial fibrillary acidic protein were significantly lower with donanemab treatment compared with placebo as early as 12 weeks after the start of treatment (least square mean change difference vs placebo, -0.04 [95% CI, -0.07 to -0.02]; P = .002 and -0.04 [95% CI, -0.07 to -0.01]; P = .01, respectively). No significant differences in plasma levels of amyloid-β 42/40 and neurofilament light chain were observed between treatment arms at the end of treatment. Changes in plasma pTau217 and glial fibrillary acidic protein were significantly correlated with the Centiloid percent change in amyloid (Spearman rank correlation coefficient [R] = 0.484 [95% CI, 0.359-0.592]; P < .001 and R = 0.453 [95% CI, 0.306-0.579]; P < .001, respectively) following treatment. Additionally, plasma levels of pTau217 and glial fibrillary acidic protein were significantly correlated at baseline and following treatment (R = 0.399 [95% CI, 0.278-0.508], P < .001 and R = 0.393 [95% CI, 0.254-0.517]; P < .001, respectively). Conclusions and Relevance Significant reductions in plasma biomarkers pTau217 and glial fibrillary acidic protein compared with placebo were observed following donanemab treatment in patients with early symptomatic Alzheimer disease. These easily accessible plasma biomarkers might provide additional evidence of Alzheimer disease pathology change through anti-amyloid therapy. Usefulness in assessing treatment response will require further evaluation. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03367403.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Pontecorvo
- Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Ming Lu
- Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Samantha C. Burnham
- Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | | | - Jeffrey L. Dage
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis
| | | | - Emily C. Collins
- Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | | | - Mark A. Mintun
- Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
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Benussi A, Cantoni V, Rivolta J, Archetti S, Micheli A, Ashton N, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Borroni B. Classification accuracy of blood-based and neurophysiological markers in the differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Alzheimers Res Ther 2022; 14:155. [PMID: 36229847 PMCID: PMC9558959 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-022-01094-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the last decade, non-invasive blood-based and neurophysiological biomarkers have shown great potential for the discrimination of several neurodegenerative disorders. However, in the clinical workup of patients with cognitive impairment, it will be highly unlikely that any biomarker will achieve the highest potential predictive accuracy on its own, owing to the multifactorial nature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). METHODS In this retrospective study, performed on 202 participants, we analysed plasma neurofilament light (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and tau phosphorylated at amino acid 181 (p-Tau181) concentrations, as well as amyloid β42 to 40 ratio (Aβ1-42/1-40) ratio, using the ultrasensitive single-molecule array (Simoa) technique, and neurophysiological measures obtained by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), including short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), intracortical facilitation (ICF), long-interval intracortical inhibition (LICI), and short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI). We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of combinations of both plasma and neurophysiological biomarkers in the differential diagnosis between healthy ageing, AD, and FTLD. RESULTS We observed significant differences in plasma NfL, GFAP, and p-Tau181 levels between the groups, but not for the Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 ratio. For the evaluation of diagnostic accuracy, we adopted a two-step process which reflects the clinical judgement on clinical grounds. In the first step, the best single biomarker to classify "cases" vs "controls" was NfL (AUC 0.94, p < 0.001), whilst in the second step, the best single biomarker to classify AD vs FTLD was SAI (AUC 0.96, p < 0.001). The combination of multiple biomarkers significantly increased diagnostic accuracy. The best model for classifying "cases" vs "controls" included the predictors p-Tau181, GFAP, NfL, SICI, ICF, and SAI, resulting in an AUC of 0.99 (p < 0.001). For the second step, classifying AD from FTD, the best model included the combination of Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 ratio, p-Tau181, SICI, ICF, and SAI, resulting in an AUC of 0.98 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The combined assessment of plasma and neurophysiological measures may greatly improve the differential diagnosis of AD and FTLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Benussi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, P.le Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy
- Neurology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Valentina Cantoni
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Jasmine Rivolta
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, P.le Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Silvana Archetti
- Biotechnology Laboratory and Department of Diagnostics, Civic Hospital of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Nicholas Ashton
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health & Biomedical Research Unit for Dementia at South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation, London, UK
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Barbara Borroni
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, P.le Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
- Neurology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
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Zimmermann J, Friedli N, Bavato F, Stämpfli P, Coray R, Baumgartner MR, Grandgirard D, Leib SL, Opitz A, Seifritz E, Stock AK, Beste C, Cole DM, Quednow BB. White matter alterations in chronic MDMA use: Evidence from diffusion tensor imaging and neurofilament light chain blood levels. Neuroimage Clin 2022; 36:103191. [PMID: 36126513 PMCID: PMC9486575 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy") is a serotonin- and noradrenaline-releasing substance, currently among the most widely used illicit substances worldwide. In animal studies, repeated exposure to MDMA has been associated with dendritic but also axonal degeneration in the brain. However, translation of the axonal findings, specifically, to humans has been repeatedly questioned and the few existing studies investigating white matter alterations in human chronic MDMA users have yielded conflicting findings. In this study, we combined whole-brain diffusion tensor imaging and neurofilament light chain (NfL) analysis in blood to reveal potential MDMA-induced axonal neuropathology. To this end, we assessed 39 chronic MDMA users and 39 matched MDMA-naïve healthy controls. MDMA users showed increased fractional anisotropy in several white matter tracts, most prominently in the corpus callosum as well as corticospinal tracts, with these findings partly related to MDMA use intensity. However, the NfL levels of MDMA users were not significantly different from those of controls. We conclude that MDMA use is not associated with significant white matter lesions due to the absence of reduced fractional anisotropy and increased NfL levels commonly observed in conditions associated with white matter lesions, including stimulant and ketamine use disorders. Hence, the MDMA-induced axonal degradation demonstrated in animal models was not observed in this human study of chronic MDMA users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josua Zimmermann
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Friedli
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Bavato
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Stämpfli
- MR-Center of the Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics and the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich
| | - Rebecca Coray
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Markus R Baumgartner
- Center for Forensic Hair Analytics, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Denis Grandgirard
- Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stephen L Leib
- Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Antje Opitz
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Erich Seifritz
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ann-Kathrin Stock
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Beste
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - David M Cole
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Boris B Quednow
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Tikhonova MA, Zhanaeva SY, Shvaikovskaya AA, Olkov NM, Aftanas LI, Danilenko KV. Neurospecific Molecules Measured in Periphery in Humans: How Do They Correlate with the Brain Levels? A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169193. [PMID: 36012459 PMCID: PMC9409387 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Human brain state is usually estimated by brain-specific substances in peripheral tissues, but, for most analytes, a concordance between their content in the brain and periphery is unclear. In this systematic review, we summarized the investigated correlations in humans. PubMed was searched up to June 2022. We included studies measuring the same endogenous neurospecific analytes in the central nervous system and periphery in the same subjects. Not eligible were studies of cerebrospinal fluid, with significant blood–brain barrier disruption, of molecules with well-established blood-periphery concordance or measured in brain tumors. Seventeen studies were eligible. Four studies did not report on correlation and four revealed no significant correlation. Four molecules were examined twice. For BDNF, there was no correlation in both studies. For phenylalanine, glutamine, and glutamate, results were contradictory. Strong correlations were found for free tryptophan (r = 0.97) and translocator protein (r = 0.90). Thus, only for three molecules was there some certainty. BDNF in plasma or serum does not reflect brain content, whereas free tryptophan (in plasma) and translocator protein (in blood cells) can serve as peripheral biomarkers. We expect a breakthrough in the field with advanced in vivo metabolomic analyses, neuroimaging techniques, and blood assays for exosomes of brain origin.
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Eisenstein SA, Boodram RS, Sutphen CL, Lugar HM, Gordon BA, Marshall BA, Urano F, Fagan AM, Hershey T. Plasma Neurofilament Light Chain Levels Are Elevated in Children and Young Adults With Wolfram Syndrome. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:795317. [PMID: 35495027 PMCID: PMC9039397 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.795317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Wolfram syndrome is a rare disease caused by pathogenic variants in the WFS1 gene with progressive neurodegeneration. As an easily accessible biomarker of progression of neurodegeneration has not yet been found, accurate tracking of the neurodegenerative process over time requires assessment by costly and time-consuming clinical measures and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A blood-based measure of neurodegeneration, neurofilament light chain (NfL), is relatively inexpensive and can be repeatedly measured at remote sites, standardized, and measured in individuals with MRI contraindications. To determine whether NfL levels may be of use in disease monitoring and reflect disease activity in Wolfram syndrome, plasma NfL levels were compared between children and young adults with Wolfram syndrome (n = 38) and controls composed of their siblings and parents (n = 35) and related to clinical severity and selected brain region volumes within the Wolfram group. NfL levels were higher in the Wolfram group [median (interquartile range) NfL = 11.3 (7.8-13.9) pg/mL] relative to controls [5.6 (4.5-7.4) pg/mL]. Within the Wolfram group, higher NfL levels related to worse visual acuity, color vision and smell identification, smaller brainstem and thalamic volumes, and faster annual rate of decrease in thalamic volume over time. Our findings suggest that plasma NfL levels can be a powerful tool to non-invasively assess underlying neurodegenerative processes in children, adolescents and young adults with Wolfram syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Eisenstein
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Raveena S. Boodram
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Courtney L. Sutphen
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Heather M. Lugar
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Brian A. Gordon
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Charles F. and Joanne Knight Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Bess A. Marshall
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Cell Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Fumihiko Urano
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Anne M. Fagan
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Charles F. and Joanne Knight Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Tamara Hershey
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
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Smirnov DS, Ashton NJ, Blennow K, Zetterberg H, Simrén J, Lantero-Rodriguez J, Karikari TK, Hiniker A, Rissman RA, Salmon DP, Galasko D. Plasma biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease in relation to neuropathology and cognitive change. Acta Neuropathol 2022; 143:487-503. [PMID: 35195758 PMCID: PMC8960664 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-022-02408-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Plasma biomarkers related to amyloid, tau, and neurodegeneration (ATN) show great promise for identifying these pathological features of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) as shown by recent clinical studies and selected autopsy studies. We have evaluated ATN plasma biomarkers in a series of 312 well-characterized longitudinally followed research subjects with plasma available within 5 years or less before autopsy and examined these biomarkers in relation to a spectrum of AD and related pathologies. Plasma Aβ42, Aβ40, total Tau, P-tau181, P-tau231 and neurofilament light (NfL) were measured using Single molecule array (Simoa) assays. Neuropathological findings were assessed using standard research protocols. Comparing plasma biomarkers with pathology diagnoses and ratings, we found that P-tau181 (AUC = 0.856) and P-tau231 (AUC = 0.773) showed the strongest overall sensitivity and specificity for AD neuropathological change (ADNC). Plasma P-tau231 showed increases at earlier ADNC stages than other biomarkers. Plasma Aβ42/40 was decreased in relation to amyloid and AD pathology, with modest diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.601). NfL was increased in non-AD cases and in a subset of those with ADNC. Plasma biomarkers did not show changes in Lewy body disease (LBD), hippocampal sclerosis of aging (HS) or limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE) unless ADNC was present. Higher levels of P-tau181, 231 and NfL predicted faster cognitive decline, as early as 10 years prior to autopsy, even among people with normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment. These results support plasma P-tau181 and 231 as diagnostic biomarkers related to ADNC that also can help to predict future cognitive decline, even in predementia stages. Although NfL was not consistently increased in plasma in AD and shows increases in several neurological disorders, it had utility to predict cognitive decline. Plasma Aβ42/40 as measured in this study was a relatively weak predictor of amyloid pathology, and different assay methods may be needed to improve on this. Additional plasma biomarkers are needed to detect the presence and impact of LBD and LATE pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis S Smirnov
- University of California, San Diego and Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas J Ashton
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health and Biomedical Research Unit for Dementia at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation, London, UK
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, London, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, China
| | - Joel Simrén
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Juan Lantero-Rodriguez
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Thomas K Karikari
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Annie Hiniker
- University of California, San Diego and Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Robert A Rissman
- University of California, San Diego and Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - David P Salmon
- University of California, San Diego and Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Douglas Galasko
- University of California, San Diego and Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Department of Neurosciences, UC San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0624, USA.
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Fluid Biomarkers in Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Disorders: Toward Integrative Diagnostic Frameworks and Tailored Treatments. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12040796. [PMID: 35453843 PMCID: PMC9029739 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12040796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) represents an increasing social burden, with the unsolved issue of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). The failure of clinical trials treating Alzheimer′s Disease (AD) so far highlighted the need for a different approach in drug design and patient selection. Identifying subjects in the prodromal or early symptomatic phase is critical to slow down neurodegeneration, but the implementation of screening programs with this aim will have an ethical and social aftermath. Novel minimally invasive candidate biomarkers (derived from blood, saliva, olfactory brush) or classical cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers have been developed in research settings to stratify patients with NDDs. Misfolded protein accumulation, neuroinflammation, and synaptic loss are the pathophysiological hallmarks detected by these biomarkers to refine diagnosis, prognosis, and target engagement of drugs in clinical trials. We reviewed fluid biomarkers of NDDs, considering their potential role as screening, diagnostic, or prognostic tool, and their present-day use in clinical trials (phase II and III). A special focus will be dedicated to novel techniques for the detection of misfolded proteins. Eventually, an applicative diagnostic algorithm will be proposed to translate the research data in clinical practice and select prodromal or early patients to be enrolled in the appropriate DMTs trials for NDDs.
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Dittrich A, Ashton NJ, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Simrén J, Geiger F, Zettergren A, Shams S, Machado A, Westman E, Schöll M, Skoog I, Kern S. Plasma and CSF NfL are differentially associated with biomarker evidence of neurodegeneration in a community-based sample of 70-year-olds. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 14:e12295. [PMID: 35280965 PMCID: PMC8897823 DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neurofilament light protein (NfL) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma (P) are suggested to be interchangeable markers of neurodegeneration. However, evidence is scarce from community-based samples. NfL was examined in a small-scale sample of 287 individuals from the Gothenburg H70 Birth cohort 1944 study, using linear models in relation to CSF and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarker evidence of neurodegeneration. CSF-NfL and P-NfL present distinct associations with biomarker evidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology and neurodegeneration. P-NfL was associated with several markers that are characteristic of AD, including smaller hippocampal volumes, amyloid beta (Aβ)42, Aβ42/40, and Aβ42/t-tau (total tau). CSF-NfL demonstrated associations with measures of synaptic and neurodegeneration, including t-tau, phosphorylated tau (p-tau), and neurogranin. Our findings suggest that P-NfL and CSF-NfL may exert different effects on markers of neurodegeneration in a small-scale community-based sample of 70-year-olds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Dittrich
- Department of Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology UnitDepartment of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Department of Psychiatry Cognition and Old Age PsychiatrySahlgrenska University HospitalMölndalSweden
| | - Nicholas J. Ashton
- Department of Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology UnitDepartment of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Wallenberg Center of Molecular and Translational MedicineUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and NeuroscienceMaurice Wohl Institute Clinical Neuroscience InstituteLondonUK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health and Biomedical Research Unit for Dementia at South London and Maudsley NHS FoundationLondonUK
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology UnitDepartment of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry LaboratorySahlgrenska University HospitalMölndalSweden
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCLUCL Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseaseUCL Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology UnitDepartment of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry LaboratorySahlgrenska University HospitalMölndalSweden
| | - Joel Simrén
- Department of Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology UnitDepartment of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry LaboratorySahlgrenska University HospitalMölndalSweden
| | - Fiona Geiger
- Department of Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology UnitDepartment of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Anna Zettergren
- Department of Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology UnitDepartment of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Sara Shams
- Department of Clinical NeuroscienceKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
- Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, and Department of RadiologyKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
- Department of RadiologyStanford UniversityStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Alejandra Machado
- Division of Clinical GeriatricsDepartment of NeurobiologyKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Eric Westman
- Division of Clinical GeriatricsDepartment of NeurobiologyKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Michael Schöll
- Department of Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology UnitDepartment of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Wallenberg Center of Molecular and Translational MedicineUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseaseUCL Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
| | - Ingmar Skoog
- Department of Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology UnitDepartment of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Department of Psychiatry Cognition and Old Age PsychiatrySahlgrenska University HospitalMölndalSweden
| | - Silke Kern
- Department of Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology UnitDepartment of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Department of Psychiatry Cognition and Old Age PsychiatrySahlgrenska University HospitalMölndalSweden
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Álvarez-Sánchez L, Peña-Bautista C, Baquero M, Cháfer-Pericás C. Novel Ultrasensitive Detection Technologies for the Identification of Early and Minimally Invasive Alzheimer's Disease Blood Biomarkers. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 86:1337-1369. [PMID: 35213367 DOI: 10.3233/jad-215093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Single molecule array (SIMOA) and other ultrasensitive detection technologies have allowed the determination of blood-based biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) for diagnosis and monitoring, thereby opening up a promising field of research. OBJECTIVE To review the published bibliography on plasma biomarkers in AD using new ultrasensitive techniques. METHODS A systematic review of the PubMed database was carried out to identify reports on the use of blood-based ultrasensitive technology to identify biomarkers for AD. RESULTS Based on this search, 86 works were included and classified according to the biomarker determined. First, plasma amyloid-β showed satisfactory accuracy as an AD biomarker in patients with a high risk of developing dementia. Second, plasma t-Tau displayed good sensitivity in detecting different neurodegenerative diseases. Third, plasma p-Tau was highly specific for AD. Fourth, plasma NfL was highly sensitive for distinguishing between patients with neurodegenerative diseases and healthy controls. In general, the simultaneous determination of several biomarkers facilitated greater accuracy in diagnosing AD (Aβ42/Aβ40, p-Tau181/217). CONCLUSION The recent development of ultrasensitive technology allows the determination of blood-based biomarkers with high sensitivity, thus facilitating the early detection of AD through the analysis of easily obtained biological samples. In short, as a result of this knowledge, pre-symptomatic and early AD diagnosis may be possible, and the recruitment process for future clinical trials could be more precise. However, further studies are necessary to standardize levels of blood-based biomarkers in the general population and thus achieve reproducible results among different laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carmen Peña-Bautista
- Alzheimer Disease Research Group, Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Miguel Baquero
- Division of Neurology, University and Polytechnic Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain
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45
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Benedet AL, Brum WS, Hansson O, Karikari TK, Zimmer ER, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Ashton NJ. The accuracy and robustness of plasma biomarker models for amyloid PET positivity. Alzheimers Res Ther 2022; 14:26. [PMID: 35130933 PMCID: PMC8819863 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-021-00942-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Plasma biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have broad potential as screening tools in primary care and disease-modifying trials. Detecting elevated amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology to support trial recruitment or initiating Aβ-targeting treatments would be of critical value. In this study, we aimed to examine the robustness of plasma biomarkers to detect elevated Aβ pathology at different stages of the AD continuum. Beyond determining the best biomarker—or biomarker combination—for detecting this outcome, we also simulated increases in inter-assay coefficient of variability (CV) to account for external factors not considered by intra-assay variability. With this, we aimed to determine whether plasma biomarkers would maintain their accuracy if applied in a setting which anticipates higher variability (i.e., clinical routine). Methods We included 118 participants (cognitively unimpaired [CU, n = 50], cognitively impaired [CI, n = 68]) from the ADNI study with a full plasma biomarker profile (Aβ42/40, GFAP, p-tau181, NfL) and matched amyloid imaging. Initially, we investigated how simulated CV variations impacted single-biomarker discriminative performance of amyloid status. Then, we evaluated the predictive performance of models containing different biomarker combinations, based both on original and simulated measurements. Plasma Aβ42/40 was represented by both immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry (IP-MS) and single molecule array (Simoa) methods in separate analyses. Model selection was based on a decision tree which incorporated Akaike information criterion value, likelihood ratio tests between the best-fitting models and, finally, and Schwartz’s Bayesian information criterion. Results Increasing variation greatly impacted the performance of plasma Aβ42/40 in discriminating Aβ status. In contrast, the performance of plasma GFAP and p-tau181 remained stable with variations >20%. When biomarker models were compared, the models “AG” (Aβ42/40 + GFAP; AUC = 86.5), “A” (Aβ42/40; AUC = 82.3), and “AGP” (Aβ42/40 + GFAP + p-tau181; AUC = 93.5) were superior in determining Aβ burden in all participants, within-CU, and within-CI groups, respectively. In the robustness analyses, when repeating model selection based on simulated measurements, models including IP-MS Aβ42/40 were also most often selected. Simoa Aβ42/40 did not contribute to any selected model when used as an immunoanalytical alternative to IP-MS Aβ42/40. Conclusions Plasma Aβ42/40, as quantified by IP-MS, shows high performance in determining Aβ positivity at all stages of the AD continuum, with GFAP and p-tau181 further contributing at CI stage. However, between-assay variations greatly impacted the performance of Aβ42/40 but not that of GFAP and p-tau181. Therefore, when dealing with between-assay CVs that exceed 5%, plasma GFAP and p-tau181 should be considered for a more robust determination of Aβ burden in CU and CI participants, respectively. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13195-021-00942-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andréa L Benedet
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. .,Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Wagner S Brum
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Oskar Hansson
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Memory Clinic, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | | | - Thomas K Karikari
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Eduardo R Zimmer
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacology, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Pharmacology and Therapeutics, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden.,Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK.,Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Nicholas J Ashton
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, China.,Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, UK.,NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health & Biomedical Research Unit for Dementia at South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation, London, UK
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Schubert CR, Paulsen AJ, Pinto AA, Merten N, Cruickshanks KJ. Effect of Long-Term Storage on the Reliability of Blood Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease and Neurodegeneration. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 85:1021-1029. [PMID: 34924380 DOI: 10.3233/jad-215096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stored blood samples from longitudinal cohort studies may be useful for studying biomarkers of preclinical Alzheimer's disease. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the reliability of amyloid-β 40 and amyloid-β 42 (Aβ 40, Aβ 42), total tau (TTau), and neurofilament light (NfL) concentrations measured in blood samples stored long-term at -80°C. METHODS Aβ 40, Aβ 42, TTau, and NfL were measured in serum and plasma samples from two longitudinal cohort studies. Serum samples had been stored at -80°C for 5 (n = 24), 14 (n = 24), and 20 years (N = 78) and plasma samples had been stored for 16 years (N = 78). Biomarker concentrations were measured in duplicate using a single molecule array assay (Simoa; Quanterix, Billerica, MA). Replicate samples for each sample type and storage length were included. RESULTS The concentrations of Aβ 40, Aβ 42, TTau, and NfL were within expected ranges. Some serum TTau concentrations were below the limit of detection. The average intra-assay coefficients of variation (CV) for duplicate measures were 2-7% for all assays except for serum TTau, which were higher (CVs 13% and 17%). Mean differences in original replicate pair Aβ 40, Aβ 42, and NfL concentrations were slightly greater in samples stored for longer versus shorter time periods. CONCLUSION Aβ 40, Aβ 42, TTau, and NfL can be measured in serum and plasma samples that have been stored up to 20 years at -80°C. Long-term storage may be associated with small increases in the variability of concentrations in samples stored 14 or more years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla R Schubert
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Adam J Paulsen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - A Alex Pinto
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Natascha Merten
- Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Karen J Cruickshanks
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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Feng L, Li J, Zhang R. Current research status of blood biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease: Diagnosis and prognosis. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 72:101492. [PMID: 34673262 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), which mainly occurs in the elderly, is a neurodegenerative disease with a hidden onset, which leads to progressive cognitive and behavioral changes. The annually increasing prevalence rate and number of patients with AD exert great pressure on the society. No effective disease-modifying drug treatments are available; thus, there is no cure yet. The disease progression can only be delayed through early detection and drug assistance. Therefore, the importance of exploring associated biomarkers for the early diagnosis and prediction of the disease progress is highlighted. The National Institute on Aging- Alzheimer's Association (NIA-AA) proposed A/T/N diagnostic criteria in 2018, including Aβ42, p-tau, t-tau in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and positron emission tomography (PET). However, the invasiveness of lumbar puncture for CSF assessment and non-popularity of PET have prompted researchers to look for minimally invasive, easy to collect, and cost-effective biomarkers. Therefore, studies have largely focused on some novel molecules in the peripheral blood. This is an emerging research field, facing many obstacles and challenges while achieving some promising results.
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Hoyer-Kimura C, Konhilas JP, Mansour HM, Polt R, Doyle KP, Billheimer D, Hay M. Neurofilament light: a possible prognostic biomarker for treatment of vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia. J Neuroinflammation 2021; 18:236. [PMID: 34654436 PMCID: PMC8520282 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-021-02281-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Decreased cerebral blood flow and systemic inflammation during heart failure (HF) increase the risk for vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) and Alzheimer disease-related dementias (ADRD). We previously demonstrated that PNA5, a novel glycosylated angiotensin 1–7 (Ang-(1–7)) Mas receptor (MasR) agonist peptide, is an effective therapy to rescue cognitive impairment in our preclinical model of VCID. Neurofilament light (NfL) protein concentration is correlated with cognitive impairment and elevated in neurodegenerative diseases, hypoxic brain injury, and cardiac disease. The goal of the present study was to determine (1) if treatment with Ang-(1–7)/MasR agonists can rescue cognitive impairment and decrease VCID-induced increases in NfL levels as compared to HF-saline treated mice and, (2) if NfL levels correlate with measures of cognitive function and brain cytokines in our VCID model. Methods VCID was induced in C57BL/6 male mice via myocardial infarction (MI). At 5 weeks post-MI, mice were treated with daily subcutaneous injections for 24 days, 5 weeks after MI, with PNA5 or angiotensin 1–7 (500 microg/kg/day or 50 microg/kg/day) or saline (n = 15/group). Following the 24-day treatment protocol, cognitive function was assessed using the Novel Object Recognition (NOR) test. Cardiac function was measured by echocardiography and plasma concentrations of NfL were quantified using a Quanterix Simoa assay. Brain and circulating cytokine levels were determined with a MILLIPLEX MAP Mouse High Sensitivity Multiplex Immunoassay. Treatment groups were compared via ANOVA, significance was set at p < 0.05. Results Treatment with Ang-(1–7)/MasR agonists reversed VCID-induced cognitive impairment and significantly decreased NfL levels in our mouse model of VCID as compared to HF-saline treated mice. Further, NfL levels were significantly negatively correlated with cognitive scores and the concentrations of multiple pleiotropic cytokines in the brain. Conclusions These data show that treatment with Ang-(1–7)/MasR agonists rescues cognitive impairment and decreases plasma NfL relative to HF-saline-treated animals in our VCID mouse model. Further, levels of NfL are significantly negatively correlated with cognitive function and with several brain cytokine concentrations. Based on these preclinical findings, we propose that circulating NfL might be a candidate for a prognostic biomarker for VCID and may also serve as a pharmacodynamic/response biomarker for therapeutic target engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John P Konhilas
- Department of Physiology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.,Department of Nutritional Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.,Sarver Molecular Cardiovascular Research Program, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Heidi M Mansour
- Department of Pharmacy, Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Translational and Regenerative Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Robin Polt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Kristian P Doyle
- Department of Immunobiology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Dean Billheimer
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Meredith Hay
- Department of Physiology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.,Department of Neurology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.,Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.,ProNeurogen, Inc, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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Yuan A, Nixon RA. Neurofilament Proteins as Biomarkers to Monitor Neurological Diseases and the Efficacy of Therapies. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:689938. [PMID: 34646114 PMCID: PMC8503617 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.689938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers of neurodegeneration and neuronal injury have the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy, disease monitoring, prognosis, and measure treatment efficacy. Neurofilament proteins (NfPs) are well suited as biomarkers in these contexts because they are major neuron-specific components that maintain structural integrity and are sensitive to neurodegeneration and neuronal injury across a wide range of neurologic diseases. Low levels of NfPs are constantly released from neurons into the extracellular space and ultimately reach the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood under physiological conditions throughout normal brain development, maturation, and aging. NfP levels in CSF and blood rise above normal in response to neuronal injury and neurodegeneration independently of cause. NfPs in CSF measured by lumbar puncture are about 40-fold more concentrated than in blood in healthy individuals. New ultra-sensitive methods now allow minimally invasive measurement of these low levels of NfPs in serum or plasma to track disease onset and progression in neurological disorders or nervous system injury and assess responses to therapeutic interventions. Any of the five Nf subunits - neurofilament light chain (NfL), neurofilament medium chain (NfM), neurofilament heavy chain (NfH), alpha-internexin (INA) and peripherin (PRPH) may be altered in a given neuropathological condition. In familial and sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD), plasma NfL levels may rise as early as 22 years before clinical onset in familial AD and 10 years before sporadic AD. The major determinants of elevated levels of NfPs and degradation fragments in CSF and blood are the magnitude of damaged or degenerating axons of fiber tracks, the affected axon caliber sizes and the rate of release of NfP and fragments at different stages of a given neurological disease or condition directly or indirectly affecting central nervous system (CNS) and/or peripheral nervous system (PNS). NfPs are rapidly emerging as transformative blood biomarkers in neurology providing novel insights into a wide range of neurological diseases and advancing clinical trials. Here we summarize the current understanding of intracellular NfP physiology, pathophysiology and extracellular kinetics of NfPs in biofluids and review the value and limitations of NfPs and degradation fragments as biomarkers of neurodegeneration and neuronal injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidong Yuan
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ralph A. Nixon
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Cell Biology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, (NYU), Neuroscience Institute, New York, NY, United States
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50
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Koychev I, Jansen K, Dette A, Shi L, Holling H. Blood-Based ATN Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease: A Meta-Analysis. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 79:177-195. [PMID: 33252080 DOI: 10.3233/jad-200900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Amyloid Tau Neurodegeneration (ATN) framework was proposed to define the biological state underpinning Alzheimer's disease (AD). Blood-based biomarkers offer a scalable alternative to the costly and invasive currently available biomarkers. OBJECTIVE In this meta-analysis we sought to assess the diagnostic performance of plasma amyloid (Aβ40, Aβ42, Aβ42/40 ratio), tangle (p-tau181), and neurodegeneration (total tau [t-tau], neurofilament light [NfL]) biomarkers. METHODS Electronic databases were screened for studies reporting biomarker concentrations for AD and control cohorts. Biomarker performance was examined by random-effect meta-analyses based on the ratio between biomarker concentrations in patients and controls. RESULTS 83 studies published between 1996 and 2020 were included in the analyses. Aβ42/40 ratio as well as Aβ42 discriminated AD patients from controls when using novel platforms such as immunomagnetic reduction (IMR). We found significant differences in ptau-181 concentration for studies based on single molecule array (Simoa), but not for studies based on IMR or ELISA. T-tau was significantly different between AD patients and control in IMR and Simoa but not in ELISA-based studies. In contrast, NfL differentiated between groups across platforms. Exosome studies showed strong separation between patients and controls for Aβ42, t-tau, and p-tau181. CONCLUSION Currently available assays for sampling plasma ATN biomarkers appear to differentiate between AD patients and controls. Novel assay methodologies have given the field a significant boost for testing these biomarkers, such as IMR for Aβ, Simoa for p-tau181. Enriching samples through extracellular vesicles shows promise but requires further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Koychev
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Katrin Jansen
- Department of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Alina Dette
- Department of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Liu Shi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Heinz Holling
- Department of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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