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Anxiety is related to Alzheimer cerebrospinal fluid markers in subjects with mild cognitive impairment

I H G B Ramakers1, F R J Verhey, P Scheltens

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Alzheimer Center Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands. i.ramakers@maastrichtuniversity.nl

Psychological Medicine
|September 8, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Anxiety and agitation in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may indicate Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. However, symptoms of depression and apathy in MCI do not correlate with AD biomarkers.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Neurology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is frequently accompanied by neuropsychiatric symptoms like anxiety, apathy, and depression.
  • These symptoms may precede or indicate the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
  • Investigating correlations between these symptoms and AD biomarkers in MCI is crucial for early detection and understanding disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Alzheimer's disease (AD) markers and common neuropsychiatric symptoms in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
  • To determine if anxiety, apathy, or depression in MCI correlates with specific AD biomarkers, namely amyloid β(1-42) (Aβ42) and total tau (t-tau).

Main Methods:

  • Subjects with MCI (n=268) were recruited from the DESCRIPA and ADNI studies.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of amyloid β(1-42) (Aβ42) and total tau (t-tau) were measured.
  • Neuropsychiatric symptoms were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory, with specific attention to anxiety, apathy, depression, agitation, and irritability.

Main Results:

  • Anxiety was significantly associated with abnormal CSF Aβ42 and t-tau levels, and their combined abnormality.
  • Agitation and irritability also showed associations with abnormal CSF Aβ42 concentrations.
  • Notably, symptoms of depression and apathy did not demonstrate any significant correlation with the measured CSF AD biomarkers (Aβ42 and t-tau).

Conclusions:

  • In individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the presence of anxiety, agitation, and irritability may serve as potential indicators of underlying Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology.
  • Conversely, symptoms of depression and apathy in the context of MCI do not appear to be directly linked to the core AD biomarkers measured in this study.

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