title: CSF metabolites in the differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease from frontal variant of frontotemporal dementia.
abstract: The early differentiation between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontal variant of frontotemporal dementia (fvFTD) is frequently difficult, albeit critical for the adequate management of patients and their caregivers. In order to assess the accuracy of CSF levels of beta-amyloid 1-42 (Aβ), tau (τ) and Thr 181-phosphorilated tau (Pτ) in the early differentiation of AD from fvFTD, we designed a prospective study in which patients have been followed up for at least 2 years. Seventy-two patients with AD and 42 patients with fvFTD showed significantly different CSF levels of Pτ (increased in AD, p = 0.0001), Aβ (reduced in AD, p = 0.03), and ratios of Pτ to Aβ (p = 0.003). ROC analyses showed that the ratio Pτ/Αβ is able to predict diagnosis with an AUC of 0.73 (optimal level being 0.16) corresponding to a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 68%. Our findings suggest that CSF metabolites may be the important tools in the early differential diagnosis between AD and fvFTD, albeit to be correlated with clinical, neuropsychological and bio imaging features.
authors: Department of Neurology, IRCCS Multimedica, Milan, Italy.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: de Rino
authors: Filippo
authors: F
authors: Martinelli-Boneschi
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Caso
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Zuffi
authors: Matteo
authors: M
authors: Zabeo
authors: Gabriella
authors: G
authors: Passerini
authors: Giancarlo
authors: G
authors: Comi
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Magnani
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Franceschi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D057180:Frontotemporal Dementia / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012372:ROC Curve; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016875:tau Proteins