scholarly journals Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 215
Author(s):  
Donovan A. McGrowder ◽  
Fabian Miller ◽  
Kurt Vaz ◽  
Chukwuemeka Nwokocha ◽  
Cameil Wilson-Clarke ◽  
...  

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, clinically heterogeneous, and particularly complex neurodegenerative disease characterized by a decline in cognition. Over the last two decades, there has been significant growth in the investigation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease. This review presents current evidence from many clinical neurochemical studies, with findings that attest to the efficacy of existing core CSF biomarkers such as total tau, phosphorylated tau, and amyloid-β (Aβ42), which diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in the early and dementia stages of the disorder. The heterogeneity of the pathophysiology of the late-onset disease warrants the growth of the Alzheimer’s disease CSF biomarker toolbox; more biomarkers showing other aspects of the disease mechanism are needed. This review focuses on new biomarkers that track Alzheimer’s disease pathology, such as those that assess neuronal injury (VILIP-1 and neurofilament light), neuroinflammation (sTREM2, YKL-40, osteopontin, GFAP, progranulin, and MCP-1), synaptic dysfunction (SNAP-25 and GAP-43), vascular dysregulation (hFABP), as well as CSF α-synuclein levels and TDP-43 pathology. Some of these biomarkers are promising candidates as they are specific and predict future rates of cognitive decline. Findings from the combinations of subclasses of new Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers that improve their diagnostic efficacy in detecting associated pathological changes are also presented.

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 556-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sun Ah Park ◽  
Song Mi Han ◽  
Chae Eun Kim

Abstract Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers based on the core pathological proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), i.e., amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau protein, are widely regarded as useful diagnostic biomarkers. However, a lack of biomarkers for monitoring the treatment response and indexing clinical severity has proven to be problematic in drug trials targeting Aβ. Therefore, new biomarkers are needed to track non-Aβ and non-tau pathology. Many proteins involved in the pathophysiological progression of AD have shown promise as new biomarkers. Neurodegeneration- and synapse-related biomarkers in CSF (e.g., neurofilament light polypeptide [NFL], neurogranin, and visinin-like protein 1) and blood (e.g., NFL) aid prediction of AD progress, as well as early diagnosis. Neuroinflammation, lipid dysmetabolism, and impaired protein clearance are considered important components of AD pathophysiology. Inflammation-related proteins in the CSF, such as progranulin, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40), are useful for the early detection of AD and can represent clinical severity. Several lipid metabolism-associated biomarkers and protein clearance-linked markers have also been suggested as candidate AD biomarkers. Combinations of subsets of new biomarkers enhance their utility in terms of broadly characterizing AD-associated pathological changes, thereby facilitating precise selection of susceptible patients and comprehensive monitoring of the treatment response. This approach could facilitate the development of effective treatments for AD.


2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 621-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Shams ◽  
Tobias Granberg ◽  
Juha Martola ◽  
Xiaozhen Li ◽  
Mana Shams ◽  
...  

Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are hypothesised to have an important yet unknown role in the dementia disease pathology. In this study we analysed increasing number of CMBs and their independent associations with routine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers in a continuum of cognitive impairment. A total of 1039 patients undergoing dementia investigation were analysed and underwent lumbar puncture, and an MRI scan. CSF samples were analysed for amyloid β (Aβ) 42, total tau (T-tau), tau phosphorylated at threonine 18 (P-tau) and CSF/serum albumin ratios. Increasing number of CMBs were independently associated with low Aβ42 levels, in the whole cohort, Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment ( p < 0.05). CSF/serum albumin ratios were high with multiple CMBs ( p < 0.001), reflecting accompanying blood–brain barrier dysfunction. T-tau and P-tau levels were lower in Alzheimer’s patients with multiple CMBs when compared to zero CMBs, but did not change in the rest of the cohort. White matter hyperintensities were associated with low Aβ42 in the whole cohort and Alzheimer’s disease ( p < 0.05). Aβ42 is the routine CSF-biomarker mainly associated with CMBs in cognitive impairment, and there is an accumulative effect with increasing number of CMBs.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Yusuke Seino ◽  
Takumi Nakamura ◽  
Tomoo Harada ◽  
Naoko Nakahata ◽  
Takeshi Kawarabayashi ◽  
...  

Background: High sensitivity liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was recently introduced to measure amyloid-β (Aβ) species, allowing for a simultaneous assay that is superior to ELISA, which requires more assay steps with multiple antibodies. Objective: We validated the Aβ1-38, Aβ1-40, Aβ1-42, and Aβ1-43 assay by LC-MS/MS and compared it with ELISA using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples to investigate its feasibility for clinical application. Methods: CSF samples from 120 subjects [8 Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with dementia (ADD), 2 mild cognitive dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease (ADMCI), 14 cognitively unimpaired (CU), and 96 neurological disease subjects] were analyzed. Aβ species were separated using the Shimadzu Nexera X2 system and quantitated using a Qtrap 5500 LC-MS/MS system. Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 levels were validated using ELISA. Results: CSF levels in CU were 666±249 pmol/L in Aβ1-38, 2199±725 pmol/L in Aβ1-40, 153.7±79.7 pmol/L in Aβ1-42, and 9.78±4.58 pmol/L in Aβ1-43. The ratio of the amounts of Aβ1-38, Aβ1-40, Aβ1-42, and Aβ1-43 was approximately 68:225:16:1. Linear regression analyses showed correlations among the respective Aβ species. Both Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 values were strongly correlated with ELISA measurements. No significant differences were observed in Aβ1-38 or Aβ1-40 levels between AD and CU. Aβ1-42 and Aβ1-43 levels were significantly lower, whereas the Aβ1-38/1-42, Aβ1-38/1-43, and Aβ1-40/Aβ1-43 ratios were significantly higher in AD than in CU. The basic assay profiles of the respective Aβ species were adequate for clinical usage. Conclusion: A quantitative LC-MS/MS assay of CSF Aβ species is as reliable as specific ELISA for clinical evaluation of CSF biomarkers for AD.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Luca Sacchi ◽  
Tiziana Carandini ◽  
Giorgio Giulio Fumagalli ◽  
Anna Margherita Pietroboni ◽  
Valeria Elisa Contarino ◽  
...  

Background: Association between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-amyloid-β (Aβ)42 and amyloid-PET measures is inconstant across the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) spectrum. However, they are considered interchangeable, along with Aβ 42/40 ratio, for defining ‘Alzheimer’s Disease pathologic change’ (A+). Objective: Herein, we further characterized the association between amyloid-PET and CSF biomarkers and tested their agreement in a cohort of AD spectrum patients. Methods: We include ed 23 patients who underwent amyloid-PET, MRI, and CSF analysis showing reduced levels of Aβ 42 within a 365-days interval. Thresholds used for dichotomization were: Aβ 42 <  640 pg/mL (Aβ 42+); pTau >  61 pg/mL (pTau+); and Aβ 42/40 <  0.069 (ADratio+). Amyloid-PET scans were visually assessed and processed by four pipelines (SPMCL, SPMAAL, FSGM, FSWC). Results: Different pipelines gave highly inter-correlated standardized uptake value ratios (SUVRs) (rho = 0.93–0.99). The most significant findings were: pTau positive correlation with SPMCL SUVR (rho = 0.56, p = 0.0063) and Aβ 42/40 negative correlation with SPMCL and SPMAAL SUVRs (rho = –0.56, p = 0.0058; rho = –0.52, p = 0.0117 respectively). No correlations between CSF-Aβ 42 and global SUVRs were observed. In subregion analysis, both pTau and Aβ 42/40 values significantly correlated with cingulate SUVRs from any pipeline (R2 = 0.55–0.59, p <  0.0083), with the strongest associations observed for the posterior/isthmus cingulate areas. However, only associations observed for Aβ 42/40 ratio were still significant in linear regression models. Moreover, combining pTau with Aβ 42 or using Aβ 42/40, instead of Aβ 42 alone, increased concordance with amyloid-PET status from 74% to 91% based on visual reads and from 78% to 96% based on Centiloids. Conclusion: We confirmed that, in the AD spectrum, amyloid-PET measures show a stronger association and a better agreement with CSF-Aβ 42/40 and secondarily pTau rather than Aβ 42 levels.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Christiana Bjorkli ◽  
Claire Louet ◽  
Trude Helen Flo ◽  
Mary Hemler ◽  
Axel Sandvig ◽  
...  

Background: Preclinical models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can provide valuable insights into the onset and progression of the disease, such as changes in concentrations of amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). However, such models are currently underutilized due to limited advancement in techniques that allow for longitudinal CSF monitoring. Objective: An elegant way to understand the biochemical environment in the diseased brain is intracerebral microdialysis, a method that has until now been limited to short-term observations, or snapshots, of the brain microenvironment. Here we draw upon patient-based findings to characterize CSF biomarkers in a commonly used preclinical mouse model for AD. Methods: Our modified push-pull microdialysis method was first validated ex vivo with human CSF samples, and then in vivo in an AD mouse model, permitting assessment of dynamic changes of CSF Aβ and tau and allowing for better translational understanding of CSF biomarkers. Results: We demonstrate that CSF biomarker changes in preclinical models capture what is observed in the brain; with a decrease in CSF Aβ observed when plaques are deposited, and an increase in CSF tau once tau pathology is present in the brain parenchyma. We found that a high molecular weight cut-off membrane allowed for simultaneous sampling of Aβ and tau, comparable to CSF collection by lumbar puncture in patients. Conclusion: Our approach can further advance AD and other neurodegenerative research by following evolving neuropathology along the disease cascade via consecutive sampling from the same animal and can additionally be used to administer pharmaceutical compounds and assess their efficacy (Bjorkli, unpublished data).


2007 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 446-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
John S. K. Kauwe ◽  
Sarah Jacquart ◽  
Sumi Chakraverty ◽  
Jun Wang ◽  
Kevin Mayo ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fardin Nabizadeh ◽  
Mohammad Balabandian ◽  
Mohammad Reza Rostami ◽  
Samuel Berchi Kankam ◽  
Fetemeh Ranjbaran ◽  
...  

Abstract The most replicated blood biomarker for monitoring Alzheimer’s disease is neurofilament light (NFL). Recent evidence revealed that the plasma level of the NFL has a strong predictive value in cognitive decline and is elevated in AD patients. The Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) is understood to reflect white matter disruption, neurodegeneration, and synaptic damage in AD. However, few investigations have been carried out on the association between plasma NFL and white matter microstructure integrity. We have investigated the cross-sectional associations of plasma NFL, CSF total tau, phosphorylated tau, and Amyloid β with white matter microstructural changes as measured by DTI in 92 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) participants. We investigated potential correlations of the DTI values of each region of the MNI atlas, with plasma NFL, separately using a partial correlation model controlled for the effect of age, sex, and APOE ε4 genotype. Our findings revealed a significant correlation between plasma and CSF biomarkers with altered white matter microstructural changes in widespread brain regions. Plasma NFL negatively correlates with FA and the positive correlation with RD, DA, and MD values in different regions. Our findings showed that plasma NFL is associated with white matter changes and AD-related features, including atrophy and hypometabolism. Plasma NFL promises to be an early biomarker of microstructural changes in MCI and MCI progression to AD.


Author(s):  
Ingmar Skoog ◽  
Silke Kern ◽  
Jenna Najar ◽  
Rita Guerreiro ◽  
Jose Bras ◽  
...  

Abstract The effect of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) polygenic risk scores (PRS) on amyloid and tau pathophysiology and neurodegeneration in cognitively unimpaired older adults is not known in detail. This study aims to investigate non-APOE AD-PRS and APOE ε4 in relation to AD pathophysiology evaluated by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers in a population-based sample of 70-year olds. A total of 303 dementia-free individuals from the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies were included. Genotyping was performed using the NeuroChip, and AD-PRS were calculated. CSF levels of amyloid-β (Aβ42), total tau (t-tau), phosphorylated tau (p-tau), neurogranin (Ng), and neurofilament light (NfL) were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Associations were found between non-APOE PRS and both NfL (p = .001) and Aβ42 (p = .02), and between APOE ε4 and Aβ42 (p = 1e−10), t-tau (p = 5e−4), and p-tau (p = .002). Similar results were observed when only including individuals with CDR = 0, except for no evidence of an association between non-APOE PRS and Aβ42. There was an interaction between non-APOE PRS and Aβ42 pathology status in relation to NfL (p = .005); association was only present in individuals without Aβ42 pathology (p = 3e-4). In relation to Aβ42, there was a borderline interaction (p = .06) between non-APOE PRS and APOE ε4; association was present in ε4 carriers only (p = .03). Similar results were observed in individuals with CDR = 0 (n = 246). In conclusion, among cognitively healthy 70-year olds from the general population, genetic risk of AD beyond the APOE locus was associated with NfL in individuals without Aβ42 pathology, and with Aβ42 in APOE ε4 carriers, suggesting these associations are driven by different mechanisms.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Avin Tofiq ◽  
Henrik Zetterberg ◽  
Kaj Blennow ◽  
Hans Basun ◽  
Tommy Cederholm ◽  
...  

Background: Studies have suggested a connection between a decrease in the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We aimed to assess the effect of supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FAs) on biomarkers analyzed in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients diagnosed with AD. Objective: To investigate the effects of daily supplementation with 2.3 g of PUFAs in AD patients on the biomarkers in CSF described below. We also explored the possible correlation between these biomarkers and the performance in the cognitive test Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Methods: Thirty-three patients diagnosed with AD were randomized to either treatment with a daily intake of 2.3 g of n-3 FAs (n  =  18) or placebo (n  =  15). CSF samples were collected at baseline and after six months of treatment, and the following biomarkers were analyzed: Aβ 38, Aβ 40, Aβ 42, t-tau, p-tau, neurofilament light (NfL), chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), soluble IL-1 receptor type II (sIL-1RII), and IL-6. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups concerning the level of the different biomarkers in the CSF at baseline. Within the treatment group, there was a small but significant increase in both YKL-40 (p = 0.04) and NfL (p = 0.03), while the other CSF biomarkers remained stable. Conclusion: Supplementation with n-3 FAs had a statistically significant effect on NfL and YKL-40, resulting in an increase of both biomarkers, indicating a possible increase of inflammatory response and axonal damage. This increase in biomarkers did not correlate with MMSE score.


2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 163-175
Author(s):  
Linda J.C. van Waalwijk van Doorn ◽  
Mohsen Ghafoorian ◽  
Esther M.C. van Leijsen ◽  
Jurgen A.H.R. Claassen ◽  
Andrea Arighi ◽  
...  

Background: The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers amyloid-β 1–42 (Aβ42), total and phosphorylated tau (t-tau, p-tau) are increasingly used to assist in the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, CSF biomarker levels can be affected by confounding factors. Objective: To investigate the association of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) present in the brain with AD CSF biomarker levels. Methods: We included CSF biomarker and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of 172 subjects (52 controls, 72 mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 48 AD patients) from 9 European Memory Clinics. A computer aided detection system for standardized automated segmentation of WMHs was used on MRI scans to determine WMH volumes. Association of WMH volume with AD CSF biomarkers was determined using linear regression analysis. Results: A small, negative association of CSF Aβ42, but not p-tau and t-tau, levels with WMH volume was observed in the AD (r2 = 0.084, p = 0.046), but not the MCI and control groups, which was slightly increased when including the distance of WMHs to the ventricles in the analysis (r2 = 0.105, p = 0.025). Three global patterns of WMH distribution, either with 1) a low, 2) a peak close to the ventricles, or 3) a high, broadly-distributed WMH volume could be observed in brains of subjects in each diagnostic group. Conclusion: Despite an association of WMH volume with CSF Aβ42 levels in AD patients, the occurrence of WMHs is not accompanied by excess release of cellular proteins in the CSF, suggesting that WMHs are no major confounder for AD CSF biomarker assessment.


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