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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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Yu F, Pituch KA, Maxfield M, Baena E, Geda YE, Pruzin JJ, Coon DW, Shaibi GQ. The associations between type 2 diabetes and plasma biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease in the Health and Aging Brain Study: Health Disparities (HABS-HD). PLoS One 2024; 19:e0295749. [PMID: 38558059 PMCID: PMC10984470 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects Latinos disproportionately. One of the reasons underlying this disparity may be type 2 diabetes (T2D) that is a risk factor for AD. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of T2D and AD blood biomarkers and the differences in these associations between Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic Whites. This study was a secondary analysis of baseline data from the observational Health and Aging Brain Study: Health Disparities (HABS-HD) that investigated factors underlying health disparities in AD in Mexican Americans in comparison to non-Hispanic Whites. HABS-HD participants were excluded if they had missing data or were large outliers (z-scores >|4|) on a given AD biomarker. Fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were measured from clinical labs. T2D was diagnosed by licensed clinicians. Plasma amyloid-beta 42 and 40 (Aβ42/42) ratio, total tau (t-tau), and neurofilament light (NfL) were measured via ultra-sensitive Simoa assays. The sample sizes were 1,552 for Aβ42/40 ratio, 1,570 for t-tau, and 1,553 for NfL. Mexican Americans were younger (66.6±8.7 vs. 69.5±8.6) and had more female (64.9% female vs. 55.1%) and fewer years of schooling (9.5±4.6 vs. 15.6±2.5) than non-Hispanic Whites. Mexican Americans differed significantly from non-Hispanic Whites in blood glucose (113.5±36.6 vs. 99.2±17.0) and HbA1c (6.33±1.4 vs. 5.51±0.6) levels, T2D diagnosis (35.3% vs. 11.1%), as well as blood Aβ42/40 ratio (.051±.012 vs. .047±.011), t-tau (2.56±.95 vs. 2.33±.90), and NfL levels (16.3±9.5 vs. 20.3±10.3). Blood glucose, blood HbA1c, and T2D diagnosis were not related to Aβ42/40 ratio and t-tau but explained 3.7% of the variation in NfL (p < .001). Blood glucose and T2D diagnosis were not, while HbA1c was positively (b = 2.31, p < .001, β = 0.26), associated with NfL among Mexican Americans. In contrast, blood glucose, HbA1c, and T2D diagnosis were negatively (b = -0.09, p < .01, β = -0.26), not (b = 0.34, p = .71, β = 0.04), and positively (b = 3.32, p < .01, β = 0.33) associated with NfL, respectively in non-Hispanic Whites. To conclude, blood glucose and HbA1c levels and T2D diagnosis are associated with plasma NfL levels, but not plasma Aβ and t-tau levels. These associations differ in an ethnicity-specific manner and need to be further studied as a potential mechanism underlying AD disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Yu
- Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Keenan A. Pituch
- Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Molly Maxfield
- Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Elsa Baena
- Clinical Neuropsychology Department, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Yonas E. Geda
- Department of Neurology and the Franke Neursciene Education Center, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Jeremy J. Pruzin
- Department of Neurology, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - David W. Coon
- Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Gabriel Q. Shaibi
- Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
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Garcia-Escobar G, Manero RM, Fernández-Lebrero A, Ois A, Navalpotro-Gómez I, Puente-Periz V, Contador-Muñana J, Estragués-Gazquez I, Puig-Pijoan A, Jiménez-Balado J. Blood Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease and Cognition: A Literature Review. Biomolecules 2024; 14:93. [PMID: 38254693 PMCID: PMC10813472 DOI: 10.3390/biom14010093] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in blood-based biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) show great promise for clinical applications, offering a less invasive alternative to current cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) measures. However, the relationships between these biomarkers and specific cognitive functions, as well as their utility in predicting longitudinal cognitive decline, are not yet fully understood. This descriptive review surveys the literature from 2018 to 2023, focusing on the associations of amyloid-β (Aβ), Total Tau (t-Tau), Phosphorylated Tau (p-Tau), Neurofilament Light (NfL), and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) with cognitive measures. The reviewed studies are heterogeneous, varying in design and population (cognitively unimpaired, cognitively impaired, or mixed populations), and show results that are sometimes conflicting. Generally, cognition positively correlates with Aβ levels, especially when evaluated through the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio. In contrast, t-Tau, p-Tau, Nfl, and GFAP levels typically show a negative correlation with cognitive performance. While p-Tau measures generally exhibit stronger associations with cognitive functions compared to other biomarkers, no single blood marker has emerged as being predominantly linked to a specific cognitive domain. These findings contribute to our understanding of the complex relationship between blood biomarkers and cognitive performance and underscore their potential utility in clinical assessments of cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Garcia-Escobar
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (G.G.-E.); (R.M.M.); (A.F.-L.); (I.N.-G.); (V.P.-P.); (J.C.-M.); (I.E.-G.); (A.P.-P.); (J.J.-B.)
| | - Rosa Maria Manero
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (G.G.-E.); (R.M.M.); (A.F.-L.); (I.N.-G.); (V.P.-P.); (J.C.-M.); (I.E.-G.); (A.P.-P.); (J.J.-B.)
- Neurology Department, Hospital del Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aida Fernández-Lebrero
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (G.G.-E.); (R.M.M.); (A.F.-L.); (I.N.-G.); (V.P.-P.); (J.C.-M.); (I.E.-G.); (A.P.-P.); (J.J.-B.)
- Neurology Department, Hospital del Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Health and Experimental Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Angel Ois
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (G.G.-E.); (R.M.M.); (A.F.-L.); (I.N.-G.); (V.P.-P.); (J.C.-M.); (I.E.-G.); (A.P.-P.); (J.J.-B.)
- Neurology Department, Hospital del Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Health and Experimental Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Navalpotro-Gómez
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (G.G.-E.); (R.M.M.); (A.F.-L.); (I.N.-G.); (V.P.-P.); (J.C.-M.); (I.E.-G.); (A.P.-P.); (J.J.-B.)
- Neurology Department, Hospital del Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Health and Experimental Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Victor Puente-Periz
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (G.G.-E.); (R.M.M.); (A.F.-L.); (I.N.-G.); (V.P.-P.); (J.C.-M.); (I.E.-G.); (A.P.-P.); (J.J.-B.)
- Neurology Department, Hospital del Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Contador-Muñana
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (G.G.-E.); (R.M.M.); (A.F.-L.); (I.N.-G.); (V.P.-P.); (J.C.-M.); (I.E.-G.); (A.P.-P.); (J.J.-B.)
- Neurology Department, Hospital del Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Estragués-Gazquez
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (G.G.-E.); (R.M.M.); (A.F.-L.); (I.N.-G.); (V.P.-P.); (J.C.-M.); (I.E.-G.); (A.P.-P.); (J.J.-B.)
- Neurology Department, Hospital del Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Puig-Pijoan
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (G.G.-E.); (R.M.M.); (A.F.-L.); (I.N.-G.); (V.P.-P.); (J.C.-M.); (I.E.-G.); (A.P.-P.); (J.J.-B.)
- Neurology Department, Hospital del Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Jiménez-Balado
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (G.G.-E.); (R.M.M.); (A.F.-L.); (I.N.-G.); (V.P.-P.); (J.C.-M.); (I.E.-G.); (A.P.-P.); (J.J.-B.)
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Zheng HT, Wu Z, Mielke MM, Murray AM, Ryan J. Plasma Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease and Neurodegeneration According to Sociodemographic Characteristics and Chronic Health Conditions. J Prev Alzheimers Dis 2024; 11:1189-1197. [PMID: 39350363 PMCID: PMC11436401 DOI: 10.14283/jpad.2024.142] [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: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024]
Abstract
Ultrasensitive assays have been developed which enable biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease pathology and neurodegeneration to be measured in blood. These biomarkers can aid in diagnosis, and have been used to predict risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. The ease and cost-effectiveness of blood collections means that these biomarkers could be applied more broadly in population-based screening, however it is critical to first understand what other factors could affect blood biomarker levels. The aim of this review was to determine the extent that sociodemographic, lifestyle and health factors have been associated with blood biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease and neuropathology. Of the 32 studies included in this review, all but one measured biomarker levels in plasma, and age and sex were the most commonly investigated factors. The most consistent significant findings were a positive association between age and neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and females had higher GFAP than men. Apolipoprotein ε4 allele carriers had lower Aβ42 and Aβ42/40 ratio. Body mass index was negatively associated with GFAP and NfL, and chronic kidney disease with higher levels of all biomarkers. Too few studies have investigated other chronic health conditions and this requires further investigation. Given the potential for plasma biomarkers to enhance Alzheimer's disease diagnosis in primary care, it is important to understand how to interpret the biomarkers in light of factors that physiologically impact blood biomarker levels. This information will be critical for the establishment of reference ranges and thus the correct interpretation of these biomarkers in clinical screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- H T Zheng
- Joanne Ryan, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,
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Honig LS, Kang MS, Lee AJ, Reyes-Dumeyer D, Piriz A, Soriano B, Franco Y, Coronado ZD, Recio P, Mejía DR, Medrano M, Lantigua RA, Teich AF, Dage JL, Mayeux R. Evaluation of Plasma Biomarkers for A/T/N Classification of Alzheimer Disease Among Adults of Caribbean Hispanic Ethnicity. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e238214. [PMID: 37079306 PMCID: PMC10119732 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.8214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma biomarkers can detect biological evidence of Alzheimer disease (AD), but their use in low-resource environments and among minority ethnic groups is limited. Objective To assess validated plasma biomarkers for AD among adults of Caribbean Hispanic ethnicity. Design, Setting, and Participants In this decision analytical modeling study, adults were recruited between January 1, 2018, and April 30, 2022, and underwent detailed clinical assessments and venipuncture. A subsample of participants also consented to lumbar puncture. Established CSF cut points were used to define AD biomarker-positive status, allowing determination of optimal cut points for plasma biomarkers in the same individuals. The performance of a panel of 6 plasma biomarkers was then assessed with respect to the entire group. Data analysis was performed in January 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures Main outcomes were the association of plasma biomarkers amyloid-β 1-42 (Aβ42), amyloid-β 1-40 (Aβ40), total tau (T-tau), phosphorylated tau181 (P-tau181), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neurofilament light chain (NfL) with AD diagnosis. These biomarkers allow assessment of amyloid (A), neurofibrillary degeneration (T), and neurodegeneration (N) aspects of AD. Statistical analyses performed included receiver operating characteristics, Pearson and Spearman correlations, t tests, and Wilcoxon rank-sum, chi-square, and Fisher exact tests. Exposures Exposures included age, sex, education, country of residence, apolipoprotein-ε4 (APOE-ε4) allele number, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and body mass index. Results This study included 746 adults. Participants had a mean (SD) age of 71.0 (7.8) years, 480 (64.3%) were women, and 154 (20.6%) met clinical criteria for AD. Associations were observed between CSF and plasma P-tau181 (r = .47 [95% CI, 0.32-0.60]), NfL (r = 0.57 [95% CI, 0.44-0.68]), and P-tau181/Aβ42 (r = 0.44 [95% CI, 0.29-0.58]). For AD defined by CSF biomarkers, plasma P-tau181 and P-tau181/Aβ42 provided biological evidence of AD. Among individuals judged to be clinically healthy without dementia, biomarker-positive status was determined by plasma P-tau181 for 133 (22.7%) and by plasma P-tau181/Aβ42 for 104 (17.7%). Among individuals with clinically diagnosed AD, 69 (45.4%) had plasma P-tau181 levels and 89 (58.9%) had P-tau181/Aβ42 levels that were inconsistent with AD. Individuals with biomarker-negative clinical AD status tended to have lower levels of education, were less likely to carry APOE-ε4 alleles, and had lower levels of GFAP and NfL than individuals with biomarker-positive clinical AD. Conclusions and Relevance In this cross-sectional study, plasma P-tau181 and P-tau181/Aβ42 measurements correctly classified Caribbean Hispanic individuals with and without AD. However, plasma biomarkers identified individuals without dementia with biological evidence of AD, and a portion of those with dementia whose AD biomarker profile was negative. These results suggest that plasma biomarkers can augment detection of preclinical AD among asymptomatic individuals and improve the specificity of AD diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence S. Honig
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
- G. H. Sergievsky Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Universidad Pedro Henríquez Urena, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | - Min Suk Kang
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Annie J. Lee
- G. H. Sergievsky Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Universidad Pedro Henríquez Urena, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | - Dolly Reyes-Dumeyer
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
- G. H. Sergievsky Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Angel Piriz
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Belisa Soriano
- Universidad Pedro Henríquez Urena, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | | | | | - Patricia Recio
- Center for Diagnosis, Advanced Medicine and Telemedicine, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | - Diones Rivera Mejía
- Universidad Pedro Henríquez Urena, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
- Center for Diagnosis, Advanced Medicine and Telemedicine, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | - Martin Medrano
- Pontíficia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, Santiago, Dominican Republic
| | - Rafael A. Lantigua
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Andrew F. Teich
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Department of Neurology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Jeffrey L. Dage
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis
| | - Richard Mayeux
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
- G. H. Sergievsky Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Universidad Pedro Henríquez Urena, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
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Assessment of Plasma and Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers in Different Stages of Alzheimer's Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021226. [PMID: 36674742 PMCID: PMC9864037 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the primary type of dementia, followed by frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). They share some clinical characteristics, mainly at the early stages. So, the identification of early, specific, and minimally invasive biomarkers is required. In this study, some plasma biomarkers (Amyloid β42, p-Tau181, t-Tau, neurofilament light (NfL), TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43)) were determined by single molecule array technology (SIMOA®) in control subjects (n = 22), mild cognitive impairment due to AD (MCI-AD, n = 33), mild dementia due to AD (n = 12), and FTLD (n = 11) patients. The correlations between plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels and the accuracy of plasma biomarkers for AD early diagnosis and discriminating from FTLD were analyzed. As result, plasma p-Tau181 and NfL levels correlated with the corresponding CSF levels. Additionally, plasma p-Tau181 showed good accuracy for distinguishing between the controls and AD, as well as discriminating between AD and FTLD. Moreover, plasma NfL could discriminate dementia-AD vs. controls, FTLD vs. controls, and MCI-AD vs. dementia-AD. Therefore, the determination of these biomarkers in plasma is potentially helpful in AD spectrum diagnosis, but also discriminating from FTLD. In addition, the accessibility of these potential early and specific biomarkers may be useful for AD screening protocols in the future.
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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: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.7] [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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