OBJECTIVE
To determine, evaluate, and analyze the diagnostic value of various laboratory biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The concentrations of 93 potential biomarkers in plasma and CSF were studied in patients with AD at various stages (n=53) and independently in the group at the predementia stage (n=15).
RESULTS
Statistically significant correlations of various directions (p≤0.05) were found between the coefficients characterizing the amyloidosis and neurodegeneration (Aβ-42/Aβ-40, phTau181/Aβ-42, phTau181/oTau, oTau/Aβ-42) with markers associated with neuroinflammation, vascular disorders, angiogenesis, neuroimaging changes, and neuropsychological indicators. Previous studies of markers associated with inflammation in CSF in AD patients have shown mixed results, and no markers have been introduced into clinical practice so far. Many biomarkers associated with two classical pathogenetic links and other pathophysiological processes have been identified.
CONCLUSION
Coefficients reflecting two main pathogenetic processes in CSF of AD patients (Aβ-42/Aβ-40, phTau181/Aβ-42, phTau181/oTau, oTau/Aβ-42) are the most informative for verifying two main links in the disease pathogenesis—amyloidogenesis and neurodegeneration. In the group of patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), statistically significant relationships of cytokines associated with neuroinflammation, growth factors, and complement system protein with coefficients of amyloidosis and neurodegeneration in CSF, as well as PET, MRI, and neuropsychological tests were shown; therefore, these indicators can also be considered as potential diagnostic biomarkers of early stages and possible predictors of MCI conversion to dementia. Such markers as GFAP, apolipoprotein A1, GDF-15, IFN-γ, IL-5, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-17, VEGF, and complement C3 should be considered as objects for further research as biomarkers for early diagnosis.