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Published on: August 15, 2017
Transient plasma p-tau217 elevations after electroconvulsive therapy: A two-case report
Henri Hokkanen1,2, Emilia Hintsala1, Jaakko Hotta1,2,3
1HUS Neurocenter Helsinki Finland.
Introduction:
Plasma phosphorylated tau (p-tau217) is increasingly used in the evaluation of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, factors influencing its interpretation in real-world settings remain incompletely defined.
Methods:
We describe a patient with repeated measurements of p-tau217 after an acute course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), complemented by a second patient with repeated measurements obtained during maintenance ECT.
Results:
In the primary case, p-tau217 was markedly elevated 3 weeks after completion of an acute ECT course (5.360 pg/mL; normal < 0.185 pg/mL), followed by a decline toward normal levels within weeks and normalization at follow-up. Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and neuropsychological assessment were normal. A second patient undergoing maintenance ECT demonstrated fluctuating levels of p-tau217.
Discussion:
ECT may induce transient elevations of p-tau217 that could be misinterpreted as suggestive of AD pathology. The temporal profile suggests a reversible process distinct from amyloid-driven tau pathology. Deferring p-tau217 testing after ECT may reduce false-positive results.
