Project description:ObjectiveTo explore whether the plasma total β-amyloid (Aβ) Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio is a reliable predictor of the amyloid-PET status by exploring the association between these 2 variables in a subset of the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) study of aging cohort.MethodsTaking plasma samples at 3 separate time points, month 18 (n = 176), month 36 (n = 169), and month 54 (n = 135), we assessed the total Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio in plasma (TP42/40) with regard to neocortical Aβ burden via PET standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) and investigated both association with Aβ-PET status and correlation (and agreement) with SUVR.ResultsThe TP42/40 plasma ratio was significantly reduced in amyloid-PET-positive participants at all time points (p < 0.0001). Adjusting for covariates age, gender, APOE ε4 allele status, and clinical classification clearly affects the significance, with p values reduced and only comparisons at 54 months retaining significance (p = 0.006). Correlations with SUVR were similar across each time point, with Spearman ρ reaching -0.64 (p < 0.0001). Area under the curve values were highly reproducible over time points, with values ranging from 0.880 at 36 months to 0.913 at 54 months. In assessments of the healthy control group only, the same relationships were found.ConclusionsThe current study demonstrates reproducibility of the plasma assay to discriminate between amyloid-PET positive and negative over 3 time points, which can help to substantially reducing the screening rate of failure for clinical trials targeting preclinical or prodromal disease.Classification of evidenceThis study provides Class II evidence that plasma total Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio is associated with neocortical amyloid burden as measured by PET SUVR.
Project description:BackgroundIn Alzheimer's disease (AD), plasma amyloid beta (Aβ)1-42 and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) predict high amyloid status from Aβ positron emission tomography (PET); however, the extent to which combination of these plasma assays can predict remains unknown.MethodsPrototype Simoa assays were used to measure plasma samples from participants who were either cognitively normal (CN) or had mild cognitive impairment (MCI)/AD in the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) study.ResultsThe p-tau181/Aβ1-42 ratio showed the best prediction of Aβ-PET across all participants (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.905, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.86-0.95) and in CN (AUC = 0.873; 0.80-0.94), and symptomatic (AUC = 0.908; 0.82-1.00) adults. Plasma p-tau181/Aβ1-42 ratio correlated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) p-tau181 (Elecsys, Spearman's ρ = 0.74, P < 0.0001) and predicted abnormal CSF Aβ (AUC = 0.816; 0.74-0.89). The p-tau181/Aβ1-42 ratio also predicted future rates of cognitive decline assessed by AIBL Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite or Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes (P < 0.0001).DiscussionPlasma p-tau181/Aβ1-42 ratio predicted both Aβ-PET status and cognitive decline, demonstrating potential as both a diagnostic aid and as a screening and prognostic assay for preclinical AD trials.
Project description:IntroductionPatients with positive tauopathy but negative Aβ42 (A-T+) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) represent a diagnostic challenge. The Aβ42/40 ratio supersedes Aβ42 and reintegrates "false" A-T+ patients into the Alzheimer's disease spectrum. However, the biomarker and clinical characteristics of "true" and "false" A-T+ patients remain elusive.MethodsAmong the 509 T+N+ patients extracted from the databases of three memory clinics, we analyzed T+N+ patients with normal Aβ42 and compared "false" A-T+ with abnormal Aβ42/40 ratio and "true" A-T+ patients with normal Aβ42/40 ratio, before CSF analysis and at follow-up.Results24.9% of T+N+ patients had normal Aβ42 levels. Among them, 42.7% were "true" A-T+. "True" A-T+ had lower CSF tauP181 than "false" A-T+ patients. 48.0% of "true" A-T+ patients were diagnosed with frontotemporal lobar degeneration before CSF analysis and 64.0% at follow-up, as compared with 6% in the "false" A-T+ group (P < .0001).DiscussionFrontotemporal lobar degeneration is probably the main cause of "true" A-T+ profiles.
Project description:Including apolipoprotein E-ε4 (APOE-ε4) status and older age into consideration may increase the accuracy of plasma Aβ42/Aβ40 detecting Aβ+ individuals, but the rationale behind this remains to be fully understood. Besides, both Aβ pathology and vascular diseases are related to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline, but it is still not fully understood how APOE-ε4 modulates these relationships. In this study, we examined 241 non-demented Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative participants to investigate the associations among age, white matter hyperintensities (WMH), hypertension, hyperlipidemia, body mass index (BMI), plasma Aβ42/Aβ40 measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, and 18F-florbetapir Aβ PET as well as their prediction of longitudinal adjusted hippocampal volume (aHCV) and cognition in APOE-ε4 carriers and non-carriers. We found older age predicted faster WMH increase (p = 0.024) and cortical Aβ accumulation (p = 0.043) in APOE-ε4 non-carriers only, whereas lower plasma Aβ42/Aβ40 predicted faster cortical Aβ accumulation (p < 0.018) regardless of APOE-ε4 status. While larger WMH and underweight predicted (p < 0.05) faster decreases in aHCV and cognition in APOE-ε4 non-carriers, lower plasma Aβ42/Aβ40 predicted (p < 0.031) faster decreases in aHCV and cognition in APOE-ε4 carriers. Higher Aβ PET also predicted faster rates of aHCV (p = 0.010) in APOE-ε4 carriers only, but was related to faster rates of cognitive decline (p < 0.022) regardless of APOE-ε4 status. These findings may provide novel insights into understanding different mechanisms underlie neurodegeneration and cognitive decline in non-demented elderly adults with and without APOE-ε4 allele, which may help the design of anti-Alzheimer's clinical trials.
Project description:The pathophysiological role of Aβ42 oligomers in the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is heavily disputed, pivoting research toward investigating mixed oligomers composed of Aβ42 and Aβ40, which is more abundant but less aggregation-prone. This study investigates Aβ42:Aβ40 oligomers in different ratios, examining their adverse effects on endothelial cells, neurons, astroglia, and microglia, as well as in a human blood-brain barrier (BBB) model. Combining label-free Raman microscopy with complementary imaging techniques and biochemical assays, we show the prominent impact of Aβ40 on Aβ42 fibrillation, suggesting an inhibitory effect on aggregation. Mixed oligomers, especially with low proportions of Aβ42, were equally detrimental as pure Aβ42 oligomers regarding cell viability, functionality, and metabolism. They also differentially affected lipid droplet metabolism in BBB-associated microglia, indicating distinct pathophysiological responses. Our findings demonstrate the overarching significance of the Aβ42:Aβ40 ratio in Aβ oligomers, challenging the traditional focus on Aβ42 in AD research.
Project description:BackgroundA reduced amyloid-β (Aβ)42/40 peptide ratio in blood plasma represents a peripheral biomarker of the cerebral amyloid pathology observed in Alzheimer's disease brains. The magnitude of the measurable effect in plasma is smaller than in cerebrospinal fluid, presumably due to dilution by Aβ peptides originating from peripheral sources. We hypothesized that the observable effect in plasma can be accentuated to some extent by specifically measuring Aβ1-42 and Aβ1-40 instead of AβX-42 and AβX-40.MethodsWe assessed the plasma AβX-42/X-40 and Aβ1-42/1-40 ratios in an idealized clinical sample by semi-automated Aβ immunoprecipitation followed by closely related sandwich immunoassays. The amyloid-positive and amyloid-negative groups (dichotomized according to Aβ42/40 in cerebrospinal fluid) were compared regarding the median difference, mean difference, standardized effect size (Cohen's d) and receiver operating characteristic curves. For statistical evaluation, we applied bootstrapping.ResultsThe median Aβ1-42/1-40 ratio was 20.86% lower in amyloid-positive subjects than in the amyloid-negative group, while the median AβX-42/X-40 ratio was only 15.56% lower. The relative mean difference between amyloid-positive and amyloid-negative subjects was -18.34% for plasma Aβ1-42/1-40 compared to -15.50% for AβX-42/X-40. Cohen's d was 1.73 for Aβ1-42/1-40 and 1.48 for plasma AβX-42/X-40. Unadjusted p-values < 0.05 were obtained after .632 bootstrapping for all three parameters. Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated very similar areas under the curves for plasma Aβ1-42/1-40 and AβX-42/X-40.ConclusionsOur findings support the hypothesis that the relatively small difference in the plasma Aβ42/40 ratio between subjects with and without evidence of brain amyloidosis can be accentuated by specifically measuring Aβ1-42/1-40 instead of AβX-42/X-40. A simplified theoretical model explaining this observation is presented.
Project description:The p3 peptides, Aβ17-40/42, are a common alternative cleavage product of the amyloid precursor protein, and are found in diffuse amyloid deposits of Alzheimer's and Down Syndrome brains. The p3 peptides have been mis-named 'non-amyloidogenic'. Here we show p340/42 peptides rapidly form amyloid fibrils, with kinetics dominated by secondary nucleation. Importantly, cross-seeding experiments, with full-length Aβ induces a strong nucleation between p3 and Aβ peptides. The cross-seeding interaction is highly specific, and occurs only when the C-terminal residues are matched. We have imaged membrane interactions with p3, and monitored Ca2+ influx and cell viability with p3 peptide. Together this data suggests the N-terminal residues influence, but are not essential for, membrane disruption. Single particle analysis of TEM images indicates p3 peptides can form ring-like annular oligomers. Patch-clamp electrophysiology, shows p342 oligomers are capable of forming large ion-channels across cellular membranes. A role for p3 peptides in disease pathology should be considered as p3 peptides are cytotoxic and cross-seed Aβ fibril formation in vitro.
Project description:BackgroundRecently developed blood markers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) detection have high accuracy but usually require ultra-sensitive analytic tools not commonly available in clinical laboratories, and their performance in clinical practice is unknown.MethodsWe analyzed plasma samples from 290 consecutive participants that underwent lumbar puncture in routine clinical practice in a specialized memory clinic (66 cognitively unimpaired, 130 participants with mild cognitive impairment, and 94 with dementia). Participants were classified as amyloid positive (A +) or negative (A-) according to CSF Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 ratio. Plasma pTau217, pTau181, Aβ1-42 and Aβ1-40 were measured in the fully-automated LUMIPULSE platform. We used linear regression to compare plasma biomarkers concentrations between A + and A- groups, evaluated Spearman's correlation between plasma and CSF and performed ROC analyses to assess their diagnostic accuracy to detect brain amyloidosis as determined by CSF Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 ratio. We analyzed the concordance of pTau217 with CSF amyloidosis.ResultsPlasma pTau217 and pTau181 concentration were higher in A + than A- while the plasma Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 ratio was lower in A + compared to A-. pTau181 and the Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 ratio showed moderate correlation between plasma and CSF (Rho = 0.66 and 0.69, respectively). The areas under the ROC curve to discriminate A + from A- participants were 0.94 (95% CI 0.92-0.97) for pTau217, and 0.88 (95% CI 0.84-0.92) for both pTau181 and Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was related to increased plasma biomarker concentrations, but ratios were less affected. Plasma pTau217 had the highest fold change (× 3.2) and showed high predictive capability in discriminating A + from A-, having 4-7% misclassification rate. The global accuracy of plasma pTau217 using a two-threshold approach was robust in symptomatic groups, exceeding 90%.ConclusionThe evaluation of blood biomarkers on an automated platform exhibited high diagnostic accuracy for AD pathophysiology, and pTau217 showed excellent diagnostic accuracy to identify participants with AD in a consecutive sample representing the routine clinical practice in a specialized memory unit.
Project description:IntroductionPlasma amyloid beta42/amyloid beta40 (Aβ42/Aβ40) and phosphorylated tau217 (p-tau217) identify individuals with primary Alzheimer's disease (AD). They may detect AD co-pathology in the setting of other primary neurodegenerative diseases, but this has not been systematically studied.MethodsWe compared the clinical, neuroimaging, and neuropathological associations of plasma Aβ42/Aβ40 (mass spectrometry), p-tau217 (electrochemiluminescence), and neurofilament light ([NfL], single molecule array [Simoa]), as markers of AD co-pathology, in a sporadic frontotemporal dementia (FTD) cohort (n = 620).ResultsAβ42/Aβ40 showed no clinicopathological associations. High p-tau217 was present in amnestic dementia (AmD) presumed to be due to FTD, logopenic primary progressive aphasia (lvPPA), and APOEε4 carriers, and correlated with worse baseline and longitudinal clinical scores, lower hippocampal volumes, and more severe AD co-pathology (Braak Stage). NfL was elevated in all FTD phenotypes, and correlated with clinical scores and frontotemporal brain volumes.DiscussionPlasma p-tau217 has clinical, neuroimaging, and neuropathological correlates in sporadic FTD and may identify FTD cases with AD co-pathology.HighlightsAlzheimer's disease (AD) features could be identified with plasma phosphorylated tau217 (p-tau217) in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD).Plasma p-tau217 is a better discriminator of AD co-pathology and AD-associated features in FTLD than plasma amyloid beta42/amyloid beta40 (Aβ42/Aβ40) and neurofilament light (NfL).In FTLD, plasma p-tau217, but not Aβ42/Aβ40 or neurofilament light, has phenotypical, neurocognitive, and neuroimaging correlates suggestive of AD co-pathology.
Project description:We perform molecular dynamics simulation on several relevant biological fibrils associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Aβ40, Aβ42, and α-synuclein systems to obtain a molecular understanding and interpretation of nanomechanical characterization experiments. The computational method is versatile and addresses a new subarea within the mechanical characterization of heterogeneous soft materials. We investigate both the elastic and thermodynamic properties of the biological fibrils in order to substantiate experimental nanomechanical characterization techniques that are quickly developing and reaching dynamic imaging with video rate capabilities. The computational method qualitatively reproduces results of experiments with biological fibrils, validating its use in extrapolation to macroscopic material properties. Our computational techniques can be used for the co-design of new experiments aiming to unveil nanomechanical properties of biological fibrils from a point of view of molecular understanding. Our approach allows a comparison of diverse elastic properties based on different deformations , i.e., tensile (Y L), shear (S), and indentation (Y T) deformation. From our analysis, we find a significant elastic anisotropy between axial and transverse directions (i.e., Y T > Y L) for all systems. Interestingly, our results indicate a higher mechanostability of Aβ42 fibrils compared to Aβ40, suggesting a significant correlation between mechanical stability and aggregation propensity (rate) in amyloid systems. That is, the higher the mechanical stability the faster the fibril formation. Finally, we find that α-synuclein fibrils are thermally less stable than β-amyloid fibrils. We anticipate that our molecular-level analysis of the mechanical response under different deformation conditions for the range of fibrils considered here will provide significant insights for the experimental observations.