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Phosphorylated tau 231, memory decline and medial temporal atrophy in normal elders
Lidia Glodzik1, Susan de Santi, Wai Hon Tsui
1Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, Center of Excellence on Aging, Center for Brain Health, 145 East 32nd Street, 5th floor, New York, NY 10016, USA. Lidia.Glodzik-Sobanska@nyumc.org
Neurobiology of Aging
|February 6, 2010
Summary
In healthy individuals, elevated cerebrospinal fluid phosphorylated tau (p-tau) predicts memory decline and medial temporal lobe gray matter loss. This suggests p-tau
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) are crucial for early detection.
- Predictive value of AD CSF biomarkers for cognitive and structural brain changes in healthy individuals remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if CSF biomarkers can predict memory decline and medial temporal lobe (MTL) gray matter (GM) reduction in cognitively healthy individuals.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-seven healthy elderly subjects underwent baseline and 2-year follow-up evaluations.
- CSF biomarkers (p-tau(231), total tau, Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio) were measured at baseline.
- Memory performance and MTL GM volume (via MRI) were assessed longitudinally.
Main Results:
- Individuals with memory decline showed higher baseline p-tau(231) and lower Aβ42/Aβ40.
- Memory decline was associated with greater longitudinal MTL GM reductions.
- Elevated baseline p-tau(231) correlated with both memory score decrease and MTL GM atrophy.
Conclusions:
- Elevated CSF p-tau(231) in cognitively healthy individuals predicts subsequent memory decline.
- p-tau(231) is associated with progressive medial temporal lobe gray matter atrophy.
- p-tau(231) shows potential as a diagnostic marker for the preclinical stage of Alzheimer's disease.
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