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Mild cognitive impairment: cerebrospinal fluid tau biomarker pathologic levels and longitudinal changes in white

Inge K Amlien1, Anders M Fjell, Kristine B Walhovd

  • 1Center for the Study of Human Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Pb. 1094 Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway. inge.amlien@psykologi.uio.no

Radiology
|November 16, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

High cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tau levels in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) indicate greater white matter (WM) degeneration. This suggests a subgroup of MCI patients with intense WM damage may be at higher risk for Alzheimer disease.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Neurology
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transitional stage between normal aging and Alzheimer disease.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) total tau is a marker of neuronal degeneration.
  • White matter (WM) integrity is crucial for cognitive function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between CSF total tau levels and longitudinal changes in WM integrity in MCI patients.
  • To determine if high CSF tau levels predict accelerated WM degeneration in MCI.

Main Methods:

  • Diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) was used to assess WM integrity (fractional anisotropy and diffusivity) in MCI patients and controls over approximately 2.6 years.
  • Patients were categorized into MCI with high CSF tau and MCI with low CSF tau groups.
  • Tract-based spatial statistics and linear mixed-effects models were employed for analysis.

Main Results:

  • Patients with MCI and high CSF tau levels showed a significant decrease in fractional anisotropy (FA) and an increase in radial diffusivity (D(R)) compared to controls.
  • These WM integrity changes were most prominent in specific white matter tracts, including the cingulum and longitudinal fasciculi.
  • The rate of WM degeneration was greater in the MCI high-tau group.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated CSF total tau levels in MCI are associated with more pronounced white matter degeneration.
  • This suggests a distinct MCI subgroup with accelerated WM damage, potentially at increased risk for Alzheimer disease.
  • CSF tau may serve as a valuable biomarker for identifying MCI patients with a higher risk of progression.

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