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Published on: October 20, 2016
Platelet APP isoform ratios correlate with declining cognition in AD
F Baskin1, R N Rosenberg, L Iyer
1Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9036, USA. Fbaski@mednet.swmed.edu
Reduced ratios of platelet amyloid precursor proteins (APPs) are specific to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and correlate with cognitive decline. This finding suggests APP ratios may serve as a biomarker for AD progression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Platelets and neurons share carboxyl-truncated amyloid precursor proteins (APPs).
- Previous studies indicated reduced APP ratios in Alzheimer's disease (AD) platelets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To confirm the specificity of reduced platelet APP ratios for AD.
- To assess if cognitive decline in AD correlates with reduced platelet APP ratios over 3 years.
Main Methods:
- Quantified APP ratios in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and hemorrhagic stroke (HS) to test AD specificity.
- Re-evaluated platelet APPs and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores in AD patients and controls after 3 years.
- Utilized Western blotting with m22C11 antibody for APP ratio determination.
Main Results:
- APP ratios were normal in PD and HS patients, supporting AD specificity.
- AD patients showed significant declines in MMSE scores (16.4 to 8.3) and APP ratios (5.8 to 3.6) over 3 years.
- A significant correlation (r=0.69) was found between cognitive decline and reduced APP ratios in AD.
Conclusions:
- Reduced platelet APP ratios are a specific biomarker for Alzheimer's disease.
- Platelet APP ratios serve as a biological index for the severity of cognitive loss in AD.
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