Neuropsychiatric correlates of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and neuropsychiatric symptoms in people with Alzheimer's disease. Psychosis, agitation, apathy and depression were assessed using standardised measures in 32 patients with mild Alzheimer's disease.


METHODS
The levels of the 42-amino-acid form of beta-amyloid (A beta(1-42)), tau and p-tau (phosphorylated at threonine 181) were quantified using the conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.


RESULTS
Our result shows that apathy is significantly correlated with tau and p-tau but not with A beta(1-42). There were no significant correlations between indices of psychosis/agitation,or depression and cerebrospinal fluid A beta(1-42), tau or p-tau concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
Our finding suggests that apathy is associated with the level of neurofibrillary tangles in people with mild Alzheimer's disease. In contrast, the overall levels of neurofibrillary tangles or amyloid plaques do not seem to be associated with depression or psychosis, indicating that other brain changes contribute to these symptoms.
Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Ragnhild
R
Skogseth
Ezra
E
Mulugeta
Emma
E
Jones
Clive
C
Ballard
Arvid
A
Rongve
Sabine
S
Nore
Guido
G
Alves
Dag
D
Aarsland
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D003863:Depression / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C075222:amyloid beta-protein (1-42); D016875:tau Proteins