Cerebrospinal fluid neurochemical phenotypes in vascular dementias: original data and mini-review

Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2008;25(3):256-65. doi: 10.1159/000115975. Epub 2008 Feb 13.

Abstract

Background/aims: The study evaluated the patterns of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptides, total tau and phospho-tau among Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementias (VAD).

Methods: Abeta-SDS-PAGE immunoblot and commercially available ELISAs were applied to the CSF analysis of 52 patients with probable (n = 21) and possible (n = 16) VAD, AD with cerebrovascular disease (n = 15), 30 patients with probable AD and 30 nondemented disease controls.

Results: AD and AD with cerebrovascular disease displayed a similar neurochemical phenotype in contrast to nondemented disease controls and probable VAD with regard to tau, p-tau, Abeta1-40(ox) and Abeta1-42%. Possible VAD displayed AD-like changes only for Abeta1-40(ox) and Abeta1-42%.

Conclusion: CSF neurochemical phenotypes sufficiently discriminate probable AD and VAD from each other, but their diagnostic value is limited in case of no clear-cut clinical appearance, such as possible VAD. Conversely, CSF Abeta peptides and p-tau levels may help estimate the involvement of AD-like pathophysiological pathways in VAD subgroups.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis
  • Cognition Disorders / epidemiology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Dementia, Vascular / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Dementia, Vascular / diagnosis
  • Dementia, Vascular / epidemiology
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interview, Psychological
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phenotype*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Severity of Illness Index