Nerve growth factor precursor alterations in neuron-derived extracellular vesicles from individuals with Down syndrome along the Alzheimer's disease continuum.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In Down syndrome (DS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), nerve growth factor precursor protein (proNGF) accumulates in the brain. However, its non-invasive detection using neuron-derived extracellular vesicles (NDEVs) from plasma remains unexplored.

Methods

We included 139 adults with DS (45 asymptomatic [aDS], 94 symptomatic for AD [sDS]) and 37 healthy controls. NDEVs were isolated from plasma. ProNGF and tetraspanin (CD81) were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We assessed proNGF/CD81 changes with age, along the AD continuum (aDS and sDS), and associations with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), plasma biomarkers, episodic memory, and basal forebrain volume.

Results

In DS, proNGF/CD81 levels increased with age and were higher in NDEVs from asymptomatic

SUBMITTER: Valle-Tamayo N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12010274 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature