Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFRβ) has been proposed as a biomarker of blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown. We studied PDGFRβ levels as a biomarker for cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), or Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Methods: CSF PDGFRβ levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in patients with CAA, patients with aMCI/AD, and in matched controls. In aMCI/AD we evaluated CSF PDGFRβ both by clinical phenotype and by using the AT(N) biomarker classification system defined by CSF amyloid (A), tau (T), and neurodegeneration (N) biomarkers.
Results: PDGFRβ levels were similar in CAA patients and controls (P = .78) and in aMCI/AD clinical phenotype and controls (P = .91). aMCI/AD patients with an AD+ biomarker profile (A+T+[N+]) had increased PDGFRβ levels compared to (A-T-[N-]) controls (P = .006).
Conclusion: Our findings indicate that PDGFRβ levels are associated with an AD+ biomarker profile but are not a suitable biomarker for CAA or aMCI/AD clinical syndrome.
Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; biomarkers; blood-brain barrier; cerebral amyloid angiopathy; cerebrospinal fluid; pericytes; platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β.
© 2021 The Authors. Alzheimer's & Dementia published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer's Association.