The neurofilament heavy chain (NfH) in the cerebrospinal fluid diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
OBJECTIVE
Attempting to improve the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the neurofilament heavy chain isoform, NfH(SMI35) was compared to other CSF markers [total tau, phospho-tau, amyloid beta 1-42 (Abeta42), the ratio of amyloid beta fragments Abeta42/Abeta40 (Abeta ratio)].


METHODS
CSF levels were determined in patients with AD (n = 109), mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 25), frontotemporal dementia (n = 15), vascular dementia (VD, n = 41), and controls (n = 58).


RESULTS
CSF NfH(SMI35) was elevated in AD and VD as compared to controls (p < 0.05). Total tau was higher in AD as compared to controls (p < 0.05). CSF phospho-tau was elevated in AD as compared to controls and VD (p < 0.05 each). CSF Abeta42 and Abeta ratios in AD were lower than in MCI and controls (p < 0.05 each).


CONCLUSIONS
The diagnostic potential of NfH(SMI35) is not superior to that of other CSF markers.
Brettschneider
Johannes
J
Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
Petzold
Axel
A
Schottle
Daniel
D
Claus
Annett
A
Riepe
Matthias
M
Tumani
Hayrettin
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D003704:Dementia / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000473:pathology; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C075222:amyloid beta-protein (1-42); D016875:tau Proteins