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Plasma amyloid levels within the Alzheimer's process and correlations with central biomarkers

Olivier Hanon1, Jean-Sébastien Vidal1, Sylvain Lehmann2

  • 1Memory Resource and Research Centre of de Paris-Broca-Ile de France, Hopital Broca, APHP, Paris, France; EA 4468, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.

Abstract

Insights

Plasma amyloid-beta (Aβ) levels show diagnostic potential for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Lower Aβ42 and Aβ40 in AD patients suggest their utility in diagnosing cognitive impairment.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biomarker Discovery
  • Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

  • Diagnostic relevance of plasma amyloid-beta (Aβ) for Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains debated.
  • Conflicting results exist regarding the utility of plasma Aβ in AD diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess plasma Aβ42 and Aβ40 levels in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI), nonamnestic MCI, and AD patients.
  • To investigate relationships between peripheral (plasma) and central (CSF) biomarkers.

Main Methods:

  • Included 1040 participants (417 amnestic MCI, 122 nonamnestic MCI, 501 AD) from a multicenter study.
  • Assessed cognition, plasma Aβ42/Aβ40, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, and MRI.

Main Results:

  • Plasma Aβ1-42 and Aβ1-40 were lower in AD patients compared to MCI groups (P=.01 and P=.04, respectively).
  • Plasma Aβ1-42 correlated with age, Mini-Mental State Examination, and APOE ε4 allele.
  • Plasma Aβ1-42 showed correlations with CSF biomarkers in MCI, and specifically with CSF Aβ42 in AD.

Conclusions:

  • Plasma Aβ levels are associated with cognitive status and CSF biomarkers.
  • Plasma amyloid biomarkers show promise for diagnostic applications in Alzheimer's disease.

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