Biomarkers of Cognitive Impairment: Brain Cortical Thickness, Volumetrics, and Cerebrospinal Fluid

Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. 2018 Jul-Sep;32(3):255-257. doi: 10.1097/WAD.0000000000000226.

Abstract

In Alzheimer’s disease (AD), association of cognition with disease biomarkers is important for accurate diagnosis, prognosis and staging. We studied the value of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), cortical thickness (CT), and volume (V) measures (in isolation & combination) to predict cognitive ability, as well as cognitive status, in a cross-sectional study of data from Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Cognitive status was measured by Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE). Results show that combining biomarkers allows more accurate AD diagnosis. Specifically, combining CSF, CT, and V measures seems promising. In isolation, CSF levels show significant but weak associations with MMSE. Aβ 1– 42 is associated with Mild Cognitive Impairment. CT and V measures of hippocampus and entorhinal cortex are strongly associated with Alzheimer ‘s Disease diagnosis and with ruling out the disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Biomarkers / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Brain / pathology
  • Cerebral Cortex / pathology*
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / pathology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • tau Proteins / cerebrospinal fluid

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Biomarkers
  • tau Proteins