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Open Access 01-12-2020 | Alzheimer's Disease | Research

Age and sex impact plasma NFL and t-Tau trajectories in individuals with subjective memory complaints: a 3-year follow-up study

Authors: Filippo Baldacci, Simone Lista, Maria Laura Manca, Patrizia A. Chiesa, Enrica Cavedo, Pablo Lemercier, Henrik Zetterberg, Kaj Blennow, Marie-Odile Habert, Marie Claude Potier, Bruno Dubois, Andrea Vergallo, Harald Hampel, the INSIGHT-preAD study group, for the Alzheimer Precision Medicine Initiative (APMI)

Published in: Alzheimer's Research & Therapy | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

Plasma neurofilament light (NFL) and total Tau (t-Tau) proteins are candidate biomarkers for early stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The impact of biological factors on their plasma concentrations in individuals with subjective memory complaints (SMC) has been poorly explored. We longitudinally investigate the effect of sex, age, APOE ε4 allele, comorbidities, brain amyloid-β (Aβ) burden, and cognitive scores on plasma NFL and t-Tau concentrations in cognitively healthy individuals with SMC, a condition associated with AD development.

Methods

Three hundred sixteen and 79 individuals, respectively, have baseline and three-time point assessments (at baseline, 1-year, and 3-year follow-up) of the two biomarkers. Plasma biomarkers were measured with an ultrasensitive assay in a mono-center cohort (INSIGHT-preAD study).

Results

We show an effect of age on plasma NFL, with women having a higher increase of plasma t-Tau concentrations compared to men, over time. The APOE ε4 allele does not affect the biomarker concentrations while plasma vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with higher plasma t-Tau concentrations. Both biomarkers are correlated and increase over time. Baseline NFL is related to the rate of Aβ deposition at 2-year follow-up in the left-posterior cingulate and the inferior parietal gyri. Baseline plasma NFL and the rate of change of plasma t-Tau are inversely associated with cognitive score.

Conclusion

We find that plasma NFL and t-Tau longitudinal trajectories are affected by age and female sex, respectively, in SMC individuals. Exploring the influence of biological variables on AD biomarkers is crucial for their clinical validation in blood.

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Title: Age and sex impact plasma NFL and t-Tau trajectories in individuals with subjective memory complaints: a 3-year follow-up study
Authors: Filippo Baldacci
Simone Lista
Maria Laura Manca
Patrizia A. Chiesa
Enrica Cavedo
Pablo Lemercier
Henrik Zetterberg
Kaj Blennow
Marie-Odile Habert
Marie Claude Potier
Bruno Dubois
Andrea Vergallo
Harald Hampel
the INSIGHT-preAD study group
for the Alzheimer Precision Medicine Initiative (APMI)
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's Disease
Mild Neurocognitive Disorder
Biomarkers
Published in: Alzheimer's Research & Therapy / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1758-9193
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-020-00704-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Age and sex impact plasma NFL and t-Tau trajectories in individuals with subjective memory complaints: a 3-year follow-up study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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