Alzheimer’s And Dementia |2016

Jeffrey L. Dage, Alexandra M.V. Wennberg, David C. Airey, Clinton E. Hagen, David S. Knopman, Mary M. Machulda, Rosebud O. Roberts, Clifford R. Jack Jr., Ronald C. Petersen, Michelle M. Mielke
Alzheimer’s and Dementia
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2016.06.001

Abstract:

Introduction

Tau protein levels in plasma may be a marker of neuronal damage. We examined associations between plasma tau levels and Alzheimer’s disease (AD)–related magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) neuroimaging measures among nondemented individuals.

Methods

Participants included 378 cognitively normal (CN) and 161 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) individuals enrolled in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging with concurrent neuropsychological measures and amyloid PET, fluorodeoxyglucose PET, and MRI. Baseline plasma tau levels were measured using the Quanterix Simoa-HD1 tau assay.

Results

Plasma tau levels were higher in MCI compared with CN (4.34 vs. 4.14 pg/mL, P = .078). In regression models adjusted for age, gender, education, and APOE, higher plasma tau was associated with worse memory performance (b = −0.30, P = .02) and abnormal cortical thickness in an AD signature region (odds ratio = 1.80, P = .018).

Discussion

Plasma tau is associated with cortical thickness and memory performance. Longitudinal studies will better elucidate the associations between plasma tau, neurodegeneration, and cognition.