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Reduced CSF CART in dementia with Lewy bodies

Kristofer Schultz1, Sara Wiehager, Karin Nilsson

  • 1Translational Neuroendocrine Research Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.

Neuroscience Letters
|April 10, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Cerebrospinal fluid levels of Cocaine and Amphetamine Regulated Transcript (CART) were significantly lower in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) patients, suggesting hypothalamic dysfunction and a potential biomarker for DLB diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Neurology
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second most common neurodegenerative dementia.
  • The neurobiology of DLB is not fully understood, and diagnostic biomarkers are lacking.
  • DLB patients exhibit hypothalamic atrophy, unlike Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Cocaine and Amphetamine Regulated Transcript (CART) in DLB.
  • To determine if CSF CART levels can serve as a biomarker for DLB.

Main Methods:

  • Radioimmunoassay was used to measure CART levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
  • CSF CART levels were compared between DLB patients (n=12), controls (n=12), and AD patients (n=14).

Main Results:

  • CSF CART levels were significantly reduced by 30% in DLB patients compared to controls.
  • CSF CART levels were also significantly lower in DLB patients compared to AD patients.
  • These findings indicate hypothalamic dysfunction in DLB.

Conclusions:

  • Reduced CSF CART levels are associated with hypothalamic dysfunction in DLB.
  • CSF CART may represent a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of DLB.

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