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Bardhan S, Li H, Tarver E, Schramm C, Brown M, Garcia L, Schwartz B, Mazzucco A, Natarajan N, Walsh E, Ryan L, Pearson G, Parisi MA. The National Institutes of Health INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE (INCLUDE) Project: Accelerating research discoveries for people with Down syndrome across the lifespan. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS. PART C, SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2024; 196:e32081. [PMID: 38197535 PMCID: PMC10939900 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.32081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a long-standing history of support for research in Down syndrome (DS). In response to a 2018 congressional directive for a trans-NIH initiative to address medical issues in DS, NIH launched the INCLUDE Project (INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE). Reflecting the three INCLUDE components of basic science research, cohort development, and clinical trials, the Project has published funding opportunities to address conditions such as immune disorders and Alzheimer's disease. Due to a steady expansion in dedicated funding over its first 5 years, INCLUDE has invested $258 M in over 250 new research projects. INCLUDE also supports training initiatives to expand the number and diversity of investigators studying DS. NIH has funded an INCLUDE Data Coordinating Center that is collecting de-identified clinical information and multi-omics data from research participants for broad data sharing and secondary analyses. Through the DS-Connect® registry, INCLUDE investigators can access recruitment support. The INCLUDE Research Plan articulates research goals for the program, with an emphasis on diversity of research participants and investigators. Finally, a new Cohort Development Program is poised to increase the impact of the INCLUDE Project by recruiting a large DS cohort across the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujata Bardhan
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Huiqing Li
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Erika Tarver
- National Institute on Aging (NIA), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Charlene Schramm
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Marishka Brown
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Linda Garcia
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Bryanna Schwartz
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Anna Mazzucco
- Office of the Director, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth Walsh
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Laurie Ryan
- National Institute on Aging (NIA), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Gail Pearson
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Melissa A Parisi
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Overk C, Fiorini E, Babolin C, Vukicevic M, Morici C, Madani R, Eligert V, Kosco-Vilbois M, Roberts A, Becker A, Pfeifer A, Mobley WC. Modeling Alzheimer's disease related phenotypes in the Ts65Dn mouse: impact of age on Aβ, Tau, pTau, NfL, and behavior. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1202208. [PMID: 37449271 PMCID: PMC10336548 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1202208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction People with DS are highly predisposed to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and demonstrate very similar clinical and pathological features. Ts65Dn mice are widely used and serve as the best-characterized animal model of DS. Methods We undertook studies to characterize age-related changes for AD-relevant markers linked to Aβ, Tau, and phospho-Tau, axonal structure, inflammation, and behavior. Results We found age related changes in both Ts65Dn and 2N mice. Relative to 2N mice, Ts65Dn mice showed consistent increases in Aβ40, insoluble phospho-Tau, and neurofilament light protein. These changes were correlated with deficits in learning and memory. Discussion These data have implications for planning future experiments aimed at preventing disease-related phenotypes and biomarkers. Interventions should be planned to address specific manifestations using treatments and treatment durations adequate to engage targets to prevent the emergence of phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassia Overk
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Amanda Roberts
- Animal Models Core Facility, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Ann Becker
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | | | - William C. Mobley
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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Iulita MF, Bejanin A, Vilaplana E, Carmona-Iragui M, Benejam B, Videla L, Barroeta I, Fernández S, Altuna M, Pegueroles J, Montal V, Valldeneu S, Giménez S, González-Ortiz S, Torres S, El Bounasri El Bennadi S, Padilla C, Rozalem Aranha M, Estellés T, Illán-Gala I, Belbin O, Valle-Tamayo N, Camacho V, Blessing E, Osorio RS, Videla S, Lehmann S, Holland AJ, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Alcolea D, Clarimón J, Zaman SH, Blesa R, Lleó A, Fortea J. Association of biological sex with clinical outcomes and biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down syndrome. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad074. [PMID: 37056479 PMCID: PMC10088472 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The study of sex differences in Alzheimer's disease is increasingly recognized as a key priority in research and clinical development. People with Down syndrome represent the largest population with a genetic link to Alzheimer's disease (>90% in the 7th decade). Yet, sex differences in Alzheimer's disease manifestations have not been fully investigated in these individuals, who are key candidates for preventive clinical trials. In this double-centre, cross-sectional study of 628 adults with Down syndrome [46% female, 44.4 (34.6; 50.7) years], we compared Alzheimer's disease prevalence, as well as cognitive outcomes and AT(N) biomarkers across age and sex. Participants were recruited from a population-based health plan in Barcelona, Spain, and from a convenience sample recruited via services for people with intellectual disabilities in England and Scotland. They underwent assessment with the Cambridge Cognitive Examination for Older Adults with Down Syndrome, modified cued recall test and determinations of brain amyloidosis (CSF amyloid-β 42 / 40 and amyloid-PET), tau pathology (CSF and plasma phosphorylated-tau181) and neurodegeneration biomarkers (CSF and plasma neurofilament light, total-tau, fluorodeoxyglucose-PET and MRI). We used within-group locally estimated scatterplot smoothing models to compare the trajectory of biomarker changes with age in females versus males, as well as by apolipoprotein ɛ4 carriership. Our work revealed similar prevalence, age at diagnosis and Cambridge Cognitive Examination for Older Adults with Down Syndrome scores by sex, but males showed lower modified cued recall test scores from age 45 compared with females. AT(N) biomarkers were comparable in males and females. When considering apolipoprotein ɛ4, female ɛ4 carriers showed a 3-year earlier age at diagnosis compared with female non-carriers (50.5 versus 53.2 years, P = 0.01). This difference was not seen in males (52.2 versus 52.5 years, P = 0.76). Our exploratory analyses considering sex, apolipoprotein ɛ4 and biomarkers showed that female ɛ4 carriers tended to exhibit lower CSF amyloid-β 42/amyloid-β 40 ratios and lower hippocampal volume compared with females without this allele, in line with the clinical difference. This work showed that biological sex did not influence clinical and biomarker profiles of Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down syndrome. Consideration of apolipoprotein ɛ4 haplotype, particularly in females, may be important for clinical research and clinical trials that consider this population. Accounting for, reporting and publishing sex-stratified data, even when no sex differences are found, is central to helping advance precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Florencia Iulita
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
- Women’s Brain Project, Guntershausen 8357, Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Bejanin
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Eduard Vilaplana
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Maria Carmona-Iragui
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
- Barcelona Down Medical Center, Fundació Catalana Síndrome de Down, Barcelona 08029, Spain
| | - Bessy Benejam
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
- Barcelona Down Medical Center, Fundació Catalana Síndrome de Down, Barcelona 08029, Spain
| | - Laura Videla
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
- Barcelona Down Medical Center, Fundació Catalana Síndrome de Down, Barcelona 08029, Spain
| | - Isabel Barroeta
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Susana Fernández
- Barcelona Down Medical Center, Fundació Catalana Síndrome de Down, Barcelona 08029, Spain
| | - Miren Altuna
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Jordi Pegueroles
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Victor Montal
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Silvia Valldeneu
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Sandra Giménez
- Multidisciplinary Sleep Unit, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona 08041, Spain
| | | | - Soraya Torres
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Shaimaa El Bounasri El Bennadi
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Concepcion Padilla
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Mateus Rozalem Aranha
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Teresa Estellés
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Ignacio Illán-Gala
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Olivia Belbin
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Natalia Valle-Tamayo
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Valle Camacho
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona 08041, Spain
| | - Esther Blessing
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Ricardo S Osorio
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Sebastian Videla
- Clinical Research Support Unit, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08908, Spain
| | - Sylvain Lehmann
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapy, Université de Montpellier, CHU de Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier 34295, France
| | - Anthony J Holland
- Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Group, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, Cambridge CB2 8AH, United Kingdom
- Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge CB21 5EF, United Kingdom
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, University of Gothenburg, Möndal 40530, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal 40530, Sweden
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, University College London Institute of Neurology, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong 1512-1518, China
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, University of Gothenburg, Möndal 40530, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal 40530, Sweden
| | - Daniel Alcolea
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Jordi Clarimón
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Shahid H Zaman
- Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Group, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, Cambridge CB2 8AH, United Kingdom
- Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge CB21 5EF, United Kingdom
| | - Rafael Blesa
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Alberto Lleó
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Juan Fortea
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
- Barcelona Down Medical Center, Fundació Catalana Síndrome de Down, Barcelona 08029, Spain
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Alldred MJ, Martini AC, Patterson D, Hendrix J, Granholm AC. Aging with Down Syndrome-Where Are We Now and Where Are We Going? J Clin Med 2021; 10:4687. [PMID: 34682809 PMCID: PMC8539670 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10204687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is a form of accelerated aging, and people with DS are highly prone to aging-related conditions that include vascular and neurological disorders. Due to the overexpression of several genes on Chromosome 21, for example genes encoding amyloid precursor protein (APP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and some of the interferon receptors, those with DS exhibit significant accumulation of amyloid, phospho-tau, oxidative stress, neuronal loss, and neuroinflammation in the brain as they age. In this review, we will summarize the major strides in this research field that have been made in the last few decades, as well as discuss where we are now, and which research areas are considered essential for the field in the future. We examine the scientific history of DS bridging these milestones in research to current efforts in the field. We extrapolate on comorbidities associated with this phenotype and highlight clinical networks in the USA and Europe pursuing clinical research, concluding with funding efforts and recent recommendations to the NIH regarding DS research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J. Alldred
- Nathan Kline Institute, NYU Grossman Medical School, 140 Old Orangeburg Rd, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA;
| | - Alessandra C. Martini
- Department of Pathology and Lab. Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA;
| | - David Patterson
- Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80208, USA;
| | - James Hendrix
- LuMind IDSC Foundation, 20 Mall Road, Suite 200, Burlington, MA 01801, USA;
| | - Ann-Charlotte Granholm
- Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80208, USA;
- Department of Neurosurgery, CU Anschutz, 12631 East 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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Montoliu-Gaya L, Strydom A, Blennow K, Zetterberg H, Ashton NJ. Blood Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease in Down Syndrome. J Clin Med 2021; 10:3639. [PMID: 34441934 PMCID: PMC8397053 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10163639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological evidence suggests that by the age of 40 years, all individuals with Down syndrome (DS) have Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology. Clinical diagnosis of dementia by cognitive assessment is complex in these patients due to the pre-existing and varying intellectual disability, which may mask subtle declines in cognitive functioning. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and positron emission tomography (PET) biomarkers, although accurate, are expensive, invasive, and particularly challenging in such a vulnerable population. The advances in ultra-sensitive detection methods have highlighted blood biomarkers as a valuable and realistic tool for AD diagnosis. Studies with DS patients have proven the potential blood-based biomarkers for sporadic AD (amyloid-β, tau, phosphorylated tau, and neurofilament light chain) to be useful in this population. In addition, biomarkers related to other pathologies that could aggravate dementia progression-such as inflammatory dysregulation, energetic imbalance, or oxidative stress-have been explored. This review serves to provide a brief overview of the main findings from the limited neuroimaging and CSF studies, outline the current state of blood biomarkers to diagnose AD in patients with DS, discuss possible past limitations of the research, and suggest considerations for developing and validating blood-based biomarkers in the future.
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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, 431 41 Mölndal, Sweden; (K.B.); (H.Z.); (N.J.A.)
| | - Andre Strydom
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK;
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London SE5 8AZ, UK
- London Down Syndrome Consortium (LonDowns), London, UK
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 431 41 Mölndal, Sweden; (K.B.); (H.Z.); (N.J.A.)
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 413 45 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 431 41 Mölndal, Sweden; (K.B.); (H.Z.); (N.J.A.)
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 413 45 Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, China
| | - Nicholas James Ashton
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 431 41 Mölndal, Sweden; (K.B.); (H.Z.); (N.J.A.)
- 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 SE5 9RT, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health, Biomedical Research Unit for Dementia at South London, Maudsley NHS Foundation, London SE5 8AF, UK
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Zammit MD, Tudorascu DL, Laymon CM, Hartley SL, Ellison PA, Zaman SH, Ances BM, Johnson SC, Stone CK, Sabbagh MN, Mathis CA, Klunk WE, Cohen AD, Handen BL, Christian BT. Neurofibrillary tau depositions emerge with subthreshold cerebral beta-amyloidosis in down syndrome. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2021; 31:102740. [PMID: 34182407 PMCID: PMC8252122 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Neurofibrillary tau deposition in Down syndrome follows the Braak staging pathology. Neurofibrillary tau emerges in individuals with very low amyloid burden. There is a short latency between the onset of amyloid and tau in Down syndrome. Elevated tau was observed in Braak stages I-II with very low amyloid burden, and in stages III-VI with greater amyloid burden.
Introduction Adults with Down syndrome are genetically predisposed to develop Alzheimer’s disease and accumulate beta-amyloid plaques (Aβ) early in life. While Aβ has been heavily studied in Down syndrome, its relationship with neurofibrillary tau is less understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate neurofibrillary tau deposition in individuals with Down syndrome with varying levels of Aβ burden. Methods A total of 161 adults with Down syndrome (mean age = 39.2 (8.50) years) and 40 healthy, non-Down syndrome sibling controls (43.2 (12.6) years) underwent T1w-MRI, [C-11]PiB and [F-18]AV-1451 PET scans. PET images were converted to units of standardized uptake value ratios (SUVrs). Aβ burden was calculated using the amyloid load metric (AβL); a measure of global Aβ burden that improves quantification from SUVrs by suppressing the nonspecific binding signal component and computing the specific Aβ signal from all Aβ-carrying voxels from the image. Regional tau was assessed using control-standardized AV-1451 SUVr. Control-standardized SUVrs were compared across Down syndrome groups of Aβ-negative (A-) (AβL < 13.3), subthreshold A+ (13.3 ≤ AβL < 20) and conventionally A+ (AβL ≥ 20) individuals. The subthreshold A + group was identified as having significantly higher Aβ burden compared to the A- group, but not high enough to satisfy a conventional A + classification. Results A large-sized association that survived adjustment for chronological age, mental age (assessed using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test), and imaging site was observed between AβL and AV-1451 within each Braak region (p < .05). The A + group showed significantly higher AV-1451 retention across all Braak regions compared to the A- and subthreshold A + groups (p < .05). The subthreshold A + group showed significantly higher AV-1451 retention in Braak regions I-III compared to an age-matched sample from the A- group (p < .05). Discussion These results show that even the earliest detectable Aβ accumulation in Down syndrome is accompanied by elevated tau in the early Braak stage regions. This early detection of tau can help characterize the tau accumulation phase during preclinical Alzheimer’s disease progression in Down syndrome and suggests that there may be a relatively narrow window after Aβ accumulation begins to prevent the downstream cascade of events that leads to Alzheimer’s disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Zammit
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Waisman Center, Madison, WI, USA; University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Medical Physics, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Dana L Tudorascu
- University of Pittsburgh Department of Psychiatry, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Charles M Laymon
- University of Pittsburgh Department of Radiology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; University of Pittsburgh Department of Bioengineering, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sigan L Hartley
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Waisman Center, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Paul A Ellison
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Medical Physics, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Shahid H Zaman
- Cambridge Intellectual Disability Research Group, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Beau M Ances
- Washington University in St. Louis Department of Neurology, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sterling C Johnson
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Charles K Stone
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Medicine, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Chester A Mathis
- University of Pittsburgh Department of Psychiatry, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - William E Klunk
- University of Pittsburgh Department of Psychiatry, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ann D Cohen
- University of Pittsburgh Department of Psychiatry, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Benjamin L Handen
- University of Pittsburgh Department of Psychiatry, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Bradley T Christian
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Waisman Center, Madison, WI, USA; University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Medical Physics, Madison, WI, USA
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Zammit MD, Tudorascu DL, Laymon CM, Hartley SL, Zaman SH, Ances BM, Johnson SC, Stone CK, Mathis CA, Klunk WE, Cohen AD, Handen BL, Christian BT. PET measurement of longitudinal amyloid load identifies the earliest stages of amyloid-beta accumulation during Alzheimer's disease progression in Down syndrome. Neuroimage 2021; 228:117728. [PMID: 33421595 PMCID: PMC7953340 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.117728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Adults with Down syndrome (DS) are predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and reveal early amyloid beta (Aβ) pathology in the brain. Positron emission tomography (PET) provides an in vivo measure of Aβ throughout the AD continuum. Due to the high prevalence of AD in DS, there is need for longitudinal imaging studies of Aβ to better characterize the natural history of Aβ accumulation, which will aid in the staging of this population for clinical trials aimed at AD treatment and prevention. Methods: Adults with DS (N = 79; Mean age (SD) = 42.7 (7.28) years) underwent longitudinal [C-11]Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) PET. Global Aβ burden was quantified using the amyloid load metric (AβL). Modeled PiB images were generated from the longitudinal AβL data to visualize which regions are most susceptible to Aβ accumulation in DS. AβL change was evaluated across Aβ(−), Aβ-converter, and Aβ(+) groups to assess longitudinal Aβ trajectories during different stages of AD-pathology progression. AβL change values were used to identify Aβ-accumulators within the Aβ(−) group prior to reaching the Aβ(+) threshold (previously reported as 20 AβL) which would have resulted in an Aβ-converter classification. With knowledge of trajectories of Aβ(−) accumulators, a new cutoff of Aβ(+) was derived to better identify subthreshold Aβ accumulation in DS. Estimated sample sizes necessary to detect a 25% reduction in annual Aβ change with 80% power (alpha 0.01) were determined for different groups of Aβ-status. Results: Modeled PiB images revealed the striatum, parietal cortex and precuneus as the regions with earliest detected Aβ accumulation in DS. The Aβ(−) group had a mean AβL change of 0.38 (0.58) AβL/year, while the Aβ-converter and Aβ(+) groups had change of 2.26 (0.66) and 3.16 (1.34) AβL/year, respectively. Within the Aβ(−) group, Aβ-accumulators showed no significant difference in AβL change values when compared to Aβ-converter and Aβ(+) groups. An Aβ(+) cutoff for subthreshold Aβ accumulation was derived as 13.3 AβL. The estimated sample size necessary to detect a 25% reduction in Aβ was 79 for Aβ(−) accumulators and 59 for the Aβ-converter/Aβ(+) group in DS. Conclusion: Longitudinal AβL changes were capable of distinguishing Aβ accumulators from non-accumulators in DS. Longitudinal imaging allowed for identification of subthreshold Aβ accumulation in DS during the earliest stages of AD-pathology progression. Detection of active Aβ deposition evidenced by subthreshold accumulation with longitudinal imaging can identify DS individuals at risk for AD development at an earlier stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Zammit
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Waisman Center, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, United States.
| | - Dana L Tudorascu
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychiatry, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
| | - Charles M Laymon
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Radiology, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; University of Pittsburgh, Department of Bioengineering, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
| | - Sigan L Hartley
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Waisman Center, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, United States.
| | - Shahid H Zaman
- Cambridge Intellectual Disability Research Group, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
| | - Beau M Ances
- Washington University in St. Louis Department of Neurology, St. Louis, MO, United States.
| | - Sterling C Johnson
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Madison, WI, United States.
| | - Charles K Stone
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Medicine, Madison, WI, United States.
| | - Chester A Mathis
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychiatry, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
| | - William E Klunk
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychiatry, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Ann D Cohen
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychiatry, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
| | - Benjamin L Handen
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychiatry, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
| | - Bradley T Christian
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Waisman Center, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, United States.
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