Combination of hippocampal volume and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers improves predictive value in mild cognitive impairment.
BACKGROUND
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a heterogeneous condition, and the prognosis differs within the group. Recent findings suggest that hippocampal volumetry and CSF biomarkers can be used to predict which MCI patients have an underlying neurodegenerative disorder.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the combined predictive value of hippocampal volume and CSF levels of total tau (T-tau) and beta-amyloid(42) (Abeta(42)) in stable and converting MCI patients. The participants (n = 68) included patients with MCI at baseline and who converted to dementia by the time of the 2-year follow-up (n = 21), stable MCI patients (n = 21) and healthy controls (n = 26).


METHODS
The Göteborg MCI study is a clinically based longitudinal study with biannual clinical assessments. Hippocampal volumetry was performed manually, based on data from the 0.5-tesla MRI investigations at baseline. Baseline CSF levels of T-tau and Abeta(42) were measured using commercially available, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.


RESULTS
The converting MCI group had significantly smaller left hippocampi, lower CSF Abeta(42) and higher T-tau compared to both the stable MCI group and the healthy controls. Multivariate analysis revealed that a combination of the variables outperformed the prognostic ability of the separate variables.


CONCLUSIONS
Hippocampal volumes supplement the prognostic accuracy of CSF Abeta(42) and T-tau in MCI.
Eckerström
C
C
Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Linguistics and Theory of Science, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden.
Andreasson
U
U
Olsson
E
E
Rolstad
S
S
Blennow
K
K
Zetterberg
H
H
Malmgren
H
H
Edman
A
A
Wallin
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; 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