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Where do we stand on the relationship between tau biomarkers and mild cognitive impairment?

Bryn A Martin1, Philip A Allen

  • 1Conquer Chiari Research Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Akron, OH, USA;

Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery
|September 17, 2013
PubMed

Insights

High tau levels may indicate faster disease progression in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, more research is needed to confirm cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tau as a reliable predictor of Alzheimer's disease progression.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Biomarkers
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases

Background:

  • Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transitional stage between normal aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD).
  • Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can detect microstructural changes in white matter, potentially reflecting disease progression.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tau levels are investigated as potential biomarkers for neurodegeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the findings of Amlien et al. (2013) regarding DTI metrics and CSF tau levels in MCI.
  • To assess the predictive value of baseline CSF tau levels for MCI progression.

Main Methods:

  • The study reviewed longitudinal DTI data, measuring fractional anisotropy (FA) and radial diffusivity (DR).
  • Analysis correlated DTI changes with baseline CSF tau levels in patients with MCI and healthy controls.

Main Results:

  • Longitudinal decreases in FA and increases in DR were observed in MCI patients.
  • These DTI alterations were more pronounced in MCI patients with high baseline CSF tau levels compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • Amlien et al. suggested CSF tau as an early biomarker for predicting MCI progression.
  • The current assessment questions the methodology's sufficiency to conclude CSF tau predicts MCI progression to AD.
  • Further longitudinal studies with neuropsychological assessments and AD conversion data are required to validate CSF tau as a predictive biomarker for MCI to AD progression.
Keywords:
Alzheimer’s diseaseMild cognitive impairment (MCI)amyloid betadiffusion tensor imaging (DTI)tau protein

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