Plasma Hepcidin as a potential informative biomarker of Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia

Blood-based assays are expected to be integrated into clinical routines across various contexts, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Vascular dementia (VaD), which is the second most common cause leading to dementia after AD, could also significantly benefit from this advancement. However, no informative fluid biomarker has been identified for VaD. Given the disruption of iron homeostasis in both AD and VaD, this study aims to characterize the potential of the iron-related hormone Hepcidin as a biomarker for these two conditions. We will compare its added value to established AT(N) blood biomarkers.

Blood biomarkers (amyloid-composite, p-Tau₁₈₁, Neurofilament Light Chain [NfL] and Hepcidin) levels in blood were analyzed in two independent cohorts and compared between AD patients and non-AD individuals. Additionally, blood Hepcidin and NfL were evaluated in the contexts of VaD and CADASIL, with their relative diagnostic value assessed.

Blood Hepcidin and NfL do not significantly increase the AUC obtained with both p-Tau₁₈₁ and amyloid composite in the context of AD. In contrast, AUC for VaD diagnosis is significantly higher when combining these two blood biomarkers compared to NfL alone. Hepcidin was not significantly modified in CADASIL patients compared to control subjects.

Blood Hepcidin and NfL have limited interest in the clinical context of AD but determination of these biomarkers shows to be highly informative for the diagnosis of VaD. This result could have important implications for diagnosis and implementation of clinical trials.