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Penny LK, Lofthouse R, Arastoo M, Porter A, Palliyil S, Harrington CR, Wischik CM. Considerations for biomarker strategies in clinical trials investigating tau-targeting therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease. Transl Neurodegener 2024; 13:25. [PMID: 38773569 PMCID: PMC11107038 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-024-00417-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of biomarker-led clinical trial designs has been transformative for investigating amyloid-targeting therapies for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The designs have ensured the correct selection of patients on these trials, supported target engagement and have been used to support claims of disease modification and clinical efficacy. Ultimately, this has recently led to approval of disease-modifying, amyloid-targeting therapies for AD; something that should be noted for clinical trials investigating tau-targeting therapies for AD. There is a clear overlap of the purpose of biomarker use at each stage of clinical development between amyloid-targeting and tau-targeting clinical trials. However, there are differences within the potential context of use and interpretation for some biomarkers in particular measurements of amyloid and utility of soluble, phosphorylated tau biomarkers. Given the complexities of tau in health and disease, it is paramount that therapies target disease-relevant tau and, in parallel, appropriate assays of target engagement are developed. Tau positron emission tomography, fluid biomarkers reflecting tau pathology and downstream measures of neurodegeneration will be important both for participant recruitment and for monitoring disease-modification in tau-targeting clinical trials. Bespoke design of biomarker strategies and interpretations for different modalities and tau-based targets should also be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis K Penny
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
- Scottish Biologics Facility, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Richard Lofthouse
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
- Scottish Biologics Facility, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Mohammad Arastoo
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
- Scottish Biologics Facility, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Andy Porter
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
- Scottish Biologics Facility, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Soumya Palliyil
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
- Scottish Biologics Facility, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Charles R Harrington
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
- GT Diagnostics (UK) Ltd, Aberdeen, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.
- GT Diagnostics (UK) Ltd, Aberdeen, UK.
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd, Aberdeen, UK.
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2
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Grasset L, Bouteloup V, Cacciamani F, Pellegrin I, Planche V, Chêne G, Dufouil C. Associations Between Blood-Based Biomarkers and Cognitive and Functional Trajectories Among Participants of the MEMENTO Cohort. Neurology 2024; 102:e209307. [PMID: 38626384 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000209307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Elevated levels of Alzheimer disease (AD) blood-based biomarkers are associated with accelerated cognitive decline. However, their distinct relationships with specific cognitive and functional domains require further investigation. We aimed at estimating the associations between AD blood-based biomarkers and the trajectories of distinct cognitive and functional domains over a 5-year follow-up period. METHODS We conducted a clinic-based prospective study using data from the MEMENTO study, a nationwide French cohort. We selected dementia-free individuals at baseline aged 60 years or older. Baseline measurements of β-amyloid (Aβ) 40 and 42, phosphorylated tau (p-tau181), and neurofilament light chain (NfL) concentrations were obtained using the Simoa HD-X analyzer. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT), animal fluency, Trail Making Tests A and B, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living were administered annually for up to 5 years. We used linear mixed models, adjusted for potential confounders, to model AD biomarkers' relation with cognitive and functional decline. RESULTS A total of 1,938 participants were included in this study, with a mean (SD) baseline age of 72.8 (6.6) years, and 62% were women. Higher baseline p-tau181 and NfL were associated with significantly faster decline in most cognitive, physical, and functional outcomes (+1 SD p-tau181: βMMSE = -0.055, 95% CI -0.067 to -0.043, βFCSRT = -0.034, 95% CI -0.043 to -0.025, βfluency = -0.029, 95% CI -0.038 to -0.020, βSPPB = -0.040, 95% CI -0.057 to -0.022, and β4IADL = -0.115, 95% CI 0.091-0.140. +1 SD NfL: βMMSE = -0.039, 95% CI -0.053 to -0.025, βFCSRT = -0.022, 95% CI -0.032 to -0.012, βfluency = -0.014, 95% CI -0.024 to -0.004, and β4IADL = 0.077, 95% CI 0.048-0.105). A multiplicative association of p-tau181 and NfL with worsening cognitive and functional trajectories was evidenced. Lower Aβ42/40 ratio was only associated with slightly faster cognitive decline in FCSRT and semantic fluency (+1 SD: β = 0.011, 95% CI 0.002-0.020, and β = 0.011, 95% CI 0.003-0.020, respectively). These associations were not modified by APOE ε4, sex, nor education level. DISCUSSION In a memory clinic sample, p-tau181 and NfL, both independently and jointly, are linked to more pronounced cognitive, physical and functional declines. Blood-based biomarker measurement in AD research may provide useful insights regarding biological processes underlying cognitive, physical, and functional declines in at-risk individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie Grasset
- From the UMR 1219 (L.G., V.B., F.C., G.C., C.D.), Bordeaux Population Health Center, University of Bordeaux, Inserm; CIC 1401-EC (L.G., V.B., F.C., G.C., C.D.), Inserm, University of Bordeaux, CHU de Bordeaux; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Bordeaux (V.B., G.C., C.D.), Pole de sante publique; ARAMISLab (F.C.), Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau-Paris Brain Institute-ICM, CNRS, Inria, Inserm, AP-HP, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière; Qairnel SAS (F.C.), Paris; Laboratory of Immunology and Immunogenetics (I.P.), Resources Biological Center (CRB), CHU Bordeaux; Univ. Bordeaux (I.P.), CNRS, ImmunoConcEpT, UMR 5164; and Univ. Bordeaux (V.P.), CNRS UMR 5293, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Centre Mémoire de Ressources et de Recherches, Pôle de Neurosciences Cliniques, CHU de Bordeaux, France
| | - Vincent Bouteloup
- From the UMR 1219 (L.G., V.B., F.C., G.C., C.D.), Bordeaux Population Health Center, University of Bordeaux, Inserm; CIC 1401-EC (L.G., V.B., F.C., G.C., C.D.), Inserm, University of Bordeaux, CHU de Bordeaux; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Bordeaux (V.B., G.C., C.D.), Pole de sante publique; ARAMISLab (F.C.), Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau-Paris Brain Institute-ICM, CNRS, Inria, Inserm, AP-HP, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière; Qairnel SAS (F.C.), Paris; Laboratory of Immunology and Immunogenetics (I.P.), Resources Biological Center (CRB), CHU Bordeaux; Univ. Bordeaux (I.P.), CNRS, ImmunoConcEpT, UMR 5164; and Univ. Bordeaux (V.P.), CNRS UMR 5293, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Centre Mémoire de Ressources et de Recherches, Pôle de Neurosciences Cliniques, CHU de Bordeaux, France
| | - Federica Cacciamani
- From the UMR 1219 (L.G., V.B., F.C., G.C., C.D.), Bordeaux Population Health Center, University of Bordeaux, Inserm; CIC 1401-EC (L.G., V.B., F.C., G.C., C.D.), Inserm, University of Bordeaux, CHU de Bordeaux; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Bordeaux (V.B., G.C., C.D.), Pole de sante publique; ARAMISLab (F.C.), Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau-Paris Brain Institute-ICM, CNRS, Inria, Inserm, AP-HP, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière; Qairnel SAS (F.C.), Paris; Laboratory of Immunology and Immunogenetics (I.P.), Resources Biological Center (CRB), CHU Bordeaux; Univ. Bordeaux (I.P.), CNRS, ImmunoConcEpT, UMR 5164; and Univ. Bordeaux (V.P.), CNRS UMR 5293, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Centre Mémoire de Ressources et de Recherches, Pôle de Neurosciences Cliniques, CHU de Bordeaux, France
| | - Isabelle Pellegrin
- From the UMR 1219 (L.G., V.B., F.C., G.C., C.D.), Bordeaux Population Health Center, University of Bordeaux, Inserm; CIC 1401-EC (L.G., V.B., F.C., G.C., C.D.), Inserm, University of Bordeaux, CHU de Bordeaux; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Bordeaux (V.B., G.C., C.D.), Pole de sante publique; ARAMISLab (F.C.), Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau-Paris Brain Institute-ICM, CNRS, Inria, Inserm, AP-HP, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière; Qairnel SAS (F.C.), Paris; Laboratory of Immunology and Immunogenetics (I.P.), Resources Biological Center (CRB), CHU Bordeaux; Univ. Bordeaux (I.P.), CNRS, ImmunoConcEpT, UMR 5164; and Univ. Bordeaux (V.P.), CNRS UMR 5293, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Centre Mémoire de Ressources et de Recherches, Pôle de Neurosciences Cliniques, CHU de Bordeaux, France
| | - Vincent Planche
- From the UMR 1219 (L.G., V.B., F.C., G.C., C.D.), Bordeaux Population Health Center, University of Bordeaux, Inserm; CIC 1401-EC (L.G., V.B., F.C., G.C., C.D.), Inserm, University of Bordeaux, CHU de Bordeaux; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Bordeaux (V.B., G.C., C.D.), Pole de sante publique; ARAMISLab (F.C.), Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau-Paris Brain Institute-ICM, CNRS, Inria, Inserm, AP-HP, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière; Qairnel SAS (F.C.), Paris; Laboratory of Immunology and Immunogenetics (I.P.), Resources Biological Center (CRB), CHU Bordeaux; Univ. Bordeaux (I.P.), CNRS, ImmunoConcEpT, UMR 5164; and Univ. Bordeaux (V.P.), CNRS UMR 5293, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Centre Mémoire de Ressources et de Recherches, Pôle de Neurosciences Cliniques, CHU de Bordeaux, France
| | - Geneviève Chêne
- From the UMR 1219 (L.G., V.B., F.C., G.C., C.D.), Bordeaux Population Health Center, University of Bordeaux, Inserm; CIC 1401-EC (L.G., V.B., F.C., G.C., C.D.), Inserm, University of Bordeaux, CHU de Bordeaux; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Bordeaux (V.B., G.C., C.D.), Pole de sante publique; ARAMISLab (F.C.), Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau-Paris Brain Institute-ICM, CNRS, Inria, Inserm, AP-HP, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière; Qairnel SAS (F.C.), Paris; Laboratory of Immunology and Immunogenetics (I.P.), Resources Biological Center (CRB), CHU Bordeaux; Univ. Bordeaux (I.P.), CNRS, ImmunoConcEpT, UMR 5164; and Univ. Bordeaux (V.P.), CNRS UMR 5293, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Centre Mémoire de Ressources et de Recherches, Pôle de Neurosciences Cliniques, CHU de Bordeaux, France
| | - Carole Dufouil
- From the UMR 1219 (L.G., V.B., F.C., G.C., C.D.), Bordeaux Population Health Center, University of Bordeaux, Inserm; CIC 1401-EC (L.G., V.B., F.C., G.C., C.D.), Inserm, University of Bordeaux, CHU de Bordeaux; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Bordeaux (V.B., G.C., C.D.), Pole de sante publique; ARAMISLab (F.C.), Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau-Paris Brain Institute-ICM, CNRS, Inria, Inserm, AP-HP, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière; Qairnel SAS (F.C.), Paris; Laboratory of Immunology and Immunogenetics (I.P.), Resources Biological Center (CRB), CHU Bordeaux; Univ. Bordeaux (I.P.), CNRS, ImmunoConcEpT, UMR 5164; and Univ. Bordeaux (V.P.), CNRS UMR 5293, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Centre Mémoire de Ressources et de Recherches, Pôle de Neurosciences Cliniques, CHU de Bordeaux, France
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Krix S, Wilczynski E, Falgàs N, Sánchez-Valle R, Yoles E, Nevo U, Baruch K, Fröhlich H. Towards early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease: advances in immune-related blood biomarkers and computational approaches. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1343900. [PMID: 38720902 PMCID: PMC11078023 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1343900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease has an increasing prevalence in the population world-wide, yet current diagnostic methods based on recommended biomarkers are only available in specialized clinics. Due to these circumstances, Alzheimer's disease is usually diagnosed late, which contrasts with the currently available treatment options that are only effective for patients at an early stage. Blood-based biomarkers could fill in the gap of easily accessible and low-cost methods for early diagnosis of the disease. In particular, immune-based blood-biomarkers might be a promising option, given the recently discovered cross-talk of immune cells of the central nervous system with those in the peripheral immune system. Here, we give a background on recent advances in research on brain-immune system cross-talk in Alzheimer's disease and review machine learning approaches, which can combine multiple biomarkers with further information (e.g. age, sex, APOE genotype) into predictive models supporting an earlier diagnosis. In addition, mechanistic modeling approaches, such as agent-based modeling open the possibility to model and analyze cell dynamics over time. This review aims to provide an overview of the current state of immune-system related blood-based biomarkers and their potential for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Krix
- Department of Bioinformatics, Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing (SCAI), Sankt Augustin, Germany
- Bonn-Aachen International Center for Information Technology (b-it), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ella Wilczynski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Neus Falgàs
- Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Fundació de Recerca Clínic Barcelona-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (FCRB-IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Sánchez-Valle
- Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Fundació de Recerca Clínic Barcelona-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (FCRB-IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eti Yoles
- ImmunoBrain Checkpoint Ltd., Rechovot, Israel
| | - Uri Nevo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Kuti Baruch
- ImmunoBrain Checkpoint Ltd., Rechovot, Israel
| | - Holger Fröhlich
- Department of Bioinformatics, Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing (SCAI), Sankt Augustin, Germany
- Bonn-Aachen International Center for Information Technology (b-it), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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4
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Sewell KR, Rainey-Smith SR, Pedrini S, Peiffer JJ, Sohrabi HR, Taddei K, Markovic SJ, Martins RN, Brown BM. The impact of exercise on blood-based biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease in cognitively unimpaired older adults. GeroScience 2024:10.1007/s11357-024-01130-2. [PMID: 38488949 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-024-01130-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Physical activity is a promising preventative strategy for Alzheimer's disease: it is associated with lower dementia risk, better cognition, greater brain volume and lower brain beta-amyloid. Blood-based biomarkers have emerged as a low-cost, non-invasive strategy for detecting preclinical Alzheimer's disease, however, there is limited literature examining the effect of exercise (a structured form of physical activity) on blood-based biomarkers. The current study investigated the influence of a 6-month exercise intervention on levels of plasma beta-amyloid (Aβ42, Aβ40, Aβ42/40), phosphorylated tau (p-tau181), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament light (NfL) chain in cognitively unimpaired older adults, and as a secondary aim, whether blood-based biomarkers related to cognition. Ninety-nine community-dwelling older adults (69.1 ± 5.2) were allocated to an inactive control, or to moderate or high intensity exercise groups where they cycled twice weekly for six months. At baseline and six months (post-intervention), fasted blood was collected and analysed using single molecule array (SIMOA) assays, and cognition was assessed. Results demonstrated no change in levels of any plasma biomarker from pre- to post-intervention. At baseline, higher NfL was associated with poorer cognition (β = -0.33, SE = 0.13, adjusted p = .042). Exploratory analyses indicated higher cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with higher NfL and GFAP levels in apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 non-carriers compared to ε4 carriers (NfL, β = -0.43, SE = 0.19, p = .029; GFAP, β = -0.41, SE = 0.20, p = .044), though this association was mediated by body mass index (BMI). These results highlight the importance of considering BMI in analysis of blood-based biomarkers, especially when investigating differences between APOE ε4 carriers and non-carriers. Our results also indicate that longer follow-up periods may be required to observe exercise-induced change in blood-based biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey R Sewell
- Centre for Healthy Ageing, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia.
| | - Stephanie R Rainey-Smith
- Centre for Healthy Ageing, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
- Alzheimer's Research Australia, Ralph and Patricia Sarich Neuroscience Research Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Steve Pedrini
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
- Alzheimer's Research Australia, Ralph and Patricia Sarich Neuroscience Research Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Jeremiah J Peiffer
- Centre for Healthy Ageing, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
| | - Hamid R Sohrabi
- Centre for Healthy Ageing, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
- Alzheimer's Research Australia, Ralph and Patricia Sarich Neuroscience Research Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kevin Taddei
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
- Alzheimer's Research Australia, Ralph and Patricia Sarich Neuroscience Research Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Shaun J Markovic
- Centre for Healthy Ageing, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
- Alzheimer's Research Australia, Ralph and Patricia Sarich Neuroscience Research Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Ralph N Martins
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
- Alzheimer's Research Australia, Ralph and Patricia Sarich Neuroscience Research Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Belinda M Brown
- Centre for Healthy Ageing, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
- Alzheimer's Research Australia, Ralph and Patricia Sarich Neuroscience Research Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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Garcia-Escobar G, Manero RM, Fernández-Lebrero A, Ois A, Navalpotro-Gómez I, Puente-Periz V, Contador-Muñana J, Estragués-Gazquez I, Puig-Pijoan A, Jiménez-Balado J. Blood Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease and Cognition: A Literature Review. Biomolecules 2024; 14:93. [PMID: 38254693 PMCID: PMC10813472 DOI: 10.3390/biom14010093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in blood-based biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) show great promise for clinical applications, offering a less invasive alternative to current cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) measures. However, the relationships between these biomarkers and specific cognitive functions, as well as their utility in predicting longitudinal cognitive decline, are not yet fully understood. This descriptive review surveys the literature from 2018 to 2023, focusing on the associations of amyloid-β (Aβ), Total Tau (t-Tau), Phosphorylated Tau (p-Tau), Neurofilament Light (NfL), and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) with cognitive measures. The reviewed studies are heterogeneous, varying in design and population (cognitively unimpaired, cognitively impaired, or mixed populations), and show results that are sometimes conflicting. Generally, cognition positively correlates with Aβ levels, especially when evaluated through the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio. In contrast, t-Tau, p-Tau, Nfl, and GFAP levels typically show a negative correlation with cognitive performance. While p-Tau measures generally exhibit stronger associations with cognitive functions compared to other biomarkers, no single blood marker has emerged as being predominantly linked to a specific cognitive domain. These findings contribute to our understanding of the complex relationship between blood biomarkers and cognitive performance and underscore their potential utility in clinical assessments of cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Garcia-Escobar
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (G.G.-E.); (R.M.M.); (A.F.-L.); (I.N.-G.); (V.P.-P.); (J.C.-M.); (I.E.-G.); (A.P.-P.); (J.J.-B.)
| | - Rosa Maria Manero
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (G.G.-E.); (R.M.M.); (A.F.-L.); (I.N.-G.); (V.P.-P.); (J.C.-M.); (I.E.-G.); (A.P.-P.); (J.J.-B.)
- Neurology Department, Hospital del Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aida Fernández-Lebrero
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (G.G.-E.); (R.M.M.); (A.F.-L.); (I.N.-G.); (V.P.-P.); (J.C.-M.); (I.E.-G.); (A.P.-P.); (J.J.-B.)
- Neurology Department, Hospital del Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Health and Experimental Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Angel Ois
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (G.G.-E.); (R.M.M.); (A.F.-L.); (I.N.-G.); (V.P.-P.); (J.C.-M.); (I.E.-G.); (A.P.-P.); (J.J.-B.)
- Neurology Department, Hospital del Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Health and Experimental Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Navalpotro-Gómez
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (G.G.-E.); (R.M.M.); (A.F.-L.); (I.N.-G.); (V.P.-P.); (J.C.-M.); (I.E.-G.); (A.P.-P.); (J.J.-B.)
- Neurology Department, Hospital del Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Health and Experimental Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Victor Puente-Periz
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (G.G.-E.); (R.M.M.); (A.F.-L.); (I.N.-G.); (V.P.-P.); (J.C.-M.); (I.E.-G.); (A.P.-P.); (J.J.-B.)
- Neurology Department, Hospital del Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Contador-Muñana
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (G.G.-E.); (R.M.M.); (A.F.-L.); (I.N.-G.); (V.P.-P.); (J.C.-M.); (I.E.-G.); (A.P.-P.); (J.J.-B.)
- Neurology Department, Hospital del Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Estragués-Gazquez
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (G.G.-E.); (R.M.M.); (A.F.-L.); (I.N.-G.); (V.P.-P.); (J.C.-M.); (I.E.-G.); (A.P.-P.); (J.J.-B.)
- Neurology Department, Hospital del Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Puig-Pijoan
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (G.G.-E.); (R.M.M.); (A.F.-L.); (I.N.-G.); (V.P.-P.); (J.C.-M.); (I.E.-G.); (A.P.-P.); (J.J.-B.)
- Neurology Department, Hospital del Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Jiménez-Balado
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (G.G.-E.); (R.M.M.); (A.F.-L.); (I.N.-G.); (V.P.-P.); (J.C.-M.); (I.E.-G.); (A.P.-P.); (J.J.-B.)
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6
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Tzioras M, Daniels MJD, Davies C, Baxter P, King D, McKay S, Varga B, Popovic K, Hernandez M, Stevenson AJ, Barrington J, Drinkwater E, Borella J, Holloway RK, Tulloch J, Moss J, Latta C, Kandasamy J, Sokol D, Smith C, Miron VE, Káradóttir RT, Hardingham GE, Henstridge CM, Brennan PM, McColl BW, Spires-Jones TL. Human astrocytes and microglia show augmented ingestion of synapses in Alzheimer's disease via MFG-E8. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101175. [PMID: 37652017 PMCID: PMC10518633 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Synapse loss correlates with cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Data from mouse models suggests microglia are important for synapse degeneration, but direct human evidence for any glial involvement in synapse removal in human AD remains to be established. Here we observe astrocytes and microglia from human brains contain greater amounts of synaptic protein in AD compared with non-disease controls, and that proximity to amyloid-β plaques and the APOE4 risk gene exacerbate this effect. In culture, mouse and human astrocytes and primary mouse and human microglia phagocytose AD patient-derived synapses more than synapses from controls. Inhibiting interactions of MFG-E8 rescues the elevated engulfment of AD synapses by astrocytes and microglia without affecting control synapse uptake. Thus, AD promotes increased synapse ingestion by human glial cells at least in part via an MFG-E8 opsonophagocytic mechanism with potential for targeted therapeutic manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makis Tzioras
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Michael J D Daniels
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Caitlin Davies
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Paul Baxter
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Declan King
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Sean McKay
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Balazs Varga
- Wellcome - MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Karla Popovic
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Madison Hernandez
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Anna J Stevenson
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Jack Barrington
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Elizabeth Drinkwater
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Julia Borella
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Rebecca K Holloway
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Jane Tulloch
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Jonathan Moss
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK; The Roslin Institute, the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Clare Latta
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Jothy Kandasamy
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Drahoslav Sokol
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Colin Smith
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Veronique E Miron
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK; Barlo Multiple Sclerosis Centre at St. Michael's Hospital, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada
| | | | - Giles E Hardingham
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | | | - Paul M Brennan
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK; Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Barry W McColl
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK.
| | - Tara L Spires-Jones
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK.
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Saura CA, Parra-Damas A. Is phosphorylated tau a good biomarker of synapse pathology in Alzheimer's disease? Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad142. [PMID: 37180989 PMCID: PMC10169699 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
This scientific commentary refers to 'Distinct brain pathologies associated with Alzheimer's disease biomarker-related phospho-tau 181 and phospho-tau 217 in App knock-in mouse models of amyloid-β amyloidosis' by Hirota et al. (https://doi.org/10.1093/braincomms/fcac286) and 'Predictive blood biomarkers and brain changes associated with age-related cognitive decline' by Saunders et al. (https://doi.org/10.1093/braincomms/fcad113).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Saura
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Institut de Neurociències, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra 08193, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Arnaldo Parra-Damas
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Institut de Neurociències, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra 08193, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
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