Introduction: We examined the association between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-derived biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease and neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in older non-demented adults.
Methods: We included 784 persons (699 cognitively unimpaired, 85 with mild cognitive impairment) aged ≥ 50 years who underwent CSF amyloid beta (Aβ42), hyperphosphorylated tau 181 (p-tau), and total tau (t-tau) as well as NPS assessment using Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories (BDI-II, BAI), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q).
Results: Lower CSF Aβ42, and higher t-tau/Aβ42 and p-tau/Aβ42 ratios were associated with BDI-II and BAI total scores, clinical depression (BDI-II ≥ 13), and clinical anxiety (BAI ≥ 10), as well as NPI-Q-assessed anxiety, apathy, and nighttime behavior.
Discussion: CSF Aβ42, t-tau/Aβ42, and p-tau/Aβ42 ratios were associated with NPS in community-dwelling individuals free of dementia. If confirmed by a longitudinal cohort study, the findings have clinical relevance of taking into account the NPS status of individuals with abnormal CSF biomarkers.
Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; CSF amyloid beta 42; CSF phosphorylated tau; CSF total tau; cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers; neuropsychiatric symptoms; non-demented.
© 2021 The Authors. Alzheimer's & Dementia published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer's Association.