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Dried Blood Spot Collection of Health Biomarkers to Maximize Participation in Population Studies
Published on: January 28, 2014
Biomarkers
Grace Austin1, Shaun Eslick1, Jessica Ferguson2
1Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW, Australia.
Insights
Higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is linked to increased neurofilament light chain (NFL) levels, a marker of neurodegeneration. This suggests cardiovascular health may impact brain health and Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathways.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cardiology
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Modifiable cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis.
- These factors may contribute to cognitive decline and AD pathology through vascular mechanisms.
- Limited research exists on the association between CVD risk and plasma AD biomarkers in cognitively normal individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between predicted cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and plasma Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers.
- To determine if CVD risk is linked to specific AD-related proteins in the blood.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 237 Australian adults (30-75 years).
- Calculation of 5-year and 10-year CVD risk scores using established equations.
- Measurement of plasma AD biomarkers (Aβ1-40, Aβ1-42, GFAP, NFL, pTau181) using SIMOA assays.
- Partial correlation analysis adjusted for age and sex.
Main Results:
- Higher predicted 5-year and 10-year CVD risk showed a significant positive correlation with neurofilament light chain (NFL) levels (r=0.22-0.23, p<0.001).
- No significant correlations were found between CVD risk and GFAP, Aβ42/40 ratio, or pTau181.
- No significant correlations were observed between cardiometabolic risk variables and other AD biomarkers.
Conclusions:
- Elevated CVD risk is associated with increased NFL, a neurodegeneration biomarker, independent of age and sex.
- This suggests that cardiovascular risk factors may significantly influence neurodegenerative pathways.
- Further longitudinal studies are needed to explore the complex interactions between CVD risk and AD biomarkers.
Background:
Modifiable cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors such as dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes T2D), hypertension, smoking, overweight and obesity contribute to the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD). These risk factors may promote cognitive decline and AD pathology via vascular mechanisms such as small vessel disease. Few studies have examined the link between cardiovascular disease risk and plasma AD biomarkers in cognitively normal individuals. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between CVD risk and plasma AD biomarkers.
Method:
Secondary analysis of cross-sectional data was conducted on 237 Australian adults, 30-75yrs. Predicted 5-year and 10-year CVD risk scores were calculated using the Australian CVD Risk Charts and Framingham Risk Equation, respectively. Measures included were age, sex, blood pressure, smoking and T2D status, high-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol and the addition of medication use and history of atrial fibrillation for 5-year risk calculations. Fasting blood was collected, and plasma separated by centrifugation and stored at -80°C. Plasma AD biomarkers Aβ1-40, Aβ1-42, GFAP, and NFL and pTau181 were measured using ultra-sensitive Single Molecule Array (SIMOA) assay platform. Partial correlation analysis was performed between variables, adjusted for age and sex.
Result:
After adjustments, partial correlation analysis identified significant positive correlations between NFL and 5 year (r=0.22, p <0.001) and 10-year cardiovascular risk (r=0.23, p <0.001). 5 year and 10-year CVD risk was not significantly correlated with GFAP, Aβ42/40 ratio or pTau181. No significant correlation between cardiometabolic risk variables and AD biomarkers were observed.
Conclusion:
Findings suggest that higher predicted CVD risk was associated with higher expression of neurodegenerative biomarker NFL, independent of age and sex. This finding may indicate that CVDrisk factors may play a critical role in neurodegenerative pathways. Future studies that examine longitudinal associations and synergistic interactions between CVD risk factors and AD biomarkers are needed.
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