Plasma amyloid beta protein 1-42 levels in fetuses with Down syndrome.
BACKGROUND
The presence of amyloid plaques in the brains of people with Down syndrome is correlated with the severity and the progression of the disease. The core of the plaques is an amyloid beta (A beta) protein. If a relationship between fetal levels and the presence and severity of the disease could be determined, consideration of an early intervention to reduce brain damage can be proposed.


OBJECTIVE
To study plasma amyloid beta 1-42 levels in fetuses with Down syndrome.


METHODS
Fetal plasma amyloid beta 1-42 levels were measured using a commercially available immunoassay. The sample size was previously calculated to show a difference with an alpha level of 0.05 and a power (1-beta) of 90%.


METHODS
Thirteen fetuses with Down syndrome and 17 controls (22.3+/-2.0 and 21.6+/-1.2 weeks of gestation, respectively).


METHODS
Fetal plasma amyloid beta 1-42 levels.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in plasma amyloid beta 1-42 levels between fetuses with Down syndrome and those with a normal karyotype (193.1+/-48.0 vs. 194.6+/-15.6 pg/mL, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
This result does not support the hypothesis that A beta 1-42 may be related to the severity of brain damage in newborns with Down syndrome. The high levels of this peptide in fetuses without Down syndrome favour a physiological role of these peptides during brain development.
Bartha
Jose L
JL
Fetal Medicine Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St Michael's Hospital, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. joseluis.bartha@uca.es
Soothill
Peter W
PW
D000328:Adult; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D012016:Reference Values
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C075222:amyloid beta-protein (1-42)