Coronary artery bypass surgery provokes Alzheimer's disease-like changes in the cerebrospinal fluid

J Alzheimers Dis. 2010;21(4):1153-64. doi: 10.3233/jad-2010-100702.

Abstract

Several biomarkers are used in confirming the diagnosis of cognitive disorders. This study evaluates whether the level of these markers after heart surgery correlates with the development of cognitive dysfunction, which is a frequent complication of cardiac interventions. Concentrations of amyloid-β peptide, tau, and S100β in the cerebro-spinal fluid were assessed, as well as cognitive functions were evaluated before and after coronary artery bypass grafting, utilizing immuno-assays and psychometric tests, respectively. A drastic rise in the level of S100β was observed one week after the surgery, a mark of a severe generalized cerebral injury. The level of amyloid-β peptide significantly decreased, whereas the concentration of tau markedly increased six months postoperatively. Gradual cognitive decline was also present. These findings clearly demonstrate post-surgical cognitive impairment associated with changes in biomarkers similar to that seen in Alzheimer's disease, suggesting a unifying pathognomic factor between the two disorders. A holistic approach to coronary heart disease and Alzheimer's type dementia is proposed.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnosis
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Biomarkers / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Cognition Disorders / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis
  • Coronary Artery Bypass / adverse effects*
  • Coronary Artery Disease / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Coronary Artery Disease / surgery
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Growth Factors / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Peptide Fragments / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Pilot Projects
  • Postoperative Complications / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis
  • S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit
  • S100 Proteins / cerebrospinal fluid
  • tau Proteins / cerebrospinal fluid

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Biomarkers
  • Nerve Growth Factors
  • Peptide Fragments
  • S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit
  • S100 Proteins
  • amyloid beta-protein (1-42)
  • tau Proteins