Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of neurodegeneration, synaptic dysfunction, and axonal injury relate to atrophy in structural brain regions specific to Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimers Dement. 2020 Jun;16(6):883-895. doi: 10.1002/alz.12087. Epub 2020 May 6.

Abstract

Introduction: Patterns of atrophy can distinguish normal cognition from Alzheimer's disease (AD), but neuropathological drivers of this pattern are unknown. This study examined associations between cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of AD pathology, synaptic dysfunction, and neuroaxonal injury with two AD imaging signatures.

Methods: Signatures were calculated using published guidelines. Linear regressions related each biomarker to both signatures, adjusting for demographic factors. Bootstrapped analyses tested if associations were stronger with one signature versus the other.

Results: Increased phosphorylated tau (p-tau), total tau, and neurofilament light (P-values <.045) related to smaller signatures (indicating greater atrophy). Diagnosis and sex modified associations between p-tau and neurogranin (P-values<.05) and signatures, such that associations were stronger among participants with mild cognitive impairment and female participants. The strength of associations did not differ between signatures.

Discussion: Increased evidence of neurodegeneration, axonopathy, and tau phosphorylation relate to greater AD-related atrophy. Tau phosphorylation and synaptic dysfunction may be more prominent in AD-affected regions in females.

Keywords: AD signature; cerebrospinal fluid; cortical thickness; sex differences.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnosis*
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Atrophy / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Atrophy / diagnosis*
  • Atrophy / pathology
  • Biomarkers / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nerve Degeneration / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Nerve Degeneration / diagnosis*
  • Nerve Degeneration / pathology
  • Neurofilament Proteins / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Neurogranin / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Phosphorylation
  • Synapses / pathology*
  • tau Proteins / cerebrospinal fluid*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Neurofilament Proteins
  • neurofilament protein L
  • tau Proteins
  • Neurogranin