title: Plasma prion protein concentration and progression of Alzheimer disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recently, PrP(c) has been linked to AD pathogenesis. Second, a relation of PrP(c) plasma levels with cognitive status and decline of healthy elderly subjects has been reported. Therefore, we hypothesized baseline plasma levels of PrP(c) to be associated with AD progression in cognitive and functional domains.
  
  
  METHODS
  AD patients (n = 84) were included into an observational study at time of diagnosis. Baseline plasma PrP(c) levels were determined. Decline was assessed annually (mean follow-up time 3 years) with the aid of different standardized tests (MMSE, iADL, bADL, GDS, UPDRSIII). Multiple regression analyses were used to uncover potential associations between decline and PrP(c) levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No association of PrP(c) and decline could be established. Presence of diabetes mellitus was linked to slower deterioration. Intake of neuroleptic drugs or memantine was associated with faster progression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma PrP(c) at baseline could not be shown to be related to AD progression in this study. An interesting association of diabetes mellitus and decline warrants further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Dementia Center; Department of Neurology; Georg-August-University Medical Center; Goettingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Clinical Dementia Center; Department of Neurology; Georg-August-University Medical Center; Goettingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.affiliation: Clinical Dementia Center; Department of Neurology; Georg-August-University Medical Center; Goettingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Peter
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics and Bioinformatics; Georg-August-University; Goettingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics and Bioinformatics; Georg-August-University; Goettingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Friede
authors.affiliation: Clinical Dementia Center; Department of Neurology; Georg-August-University Medical Center; Goettingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Inga
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zerr
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011328:Prions / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D011328:Prions
keywords: Alzheimer; biomarker; cognition; prion protein