title: Plasma Complement factor H in Alzheimer's Disease.
abstract: Biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) should meet several criteria, including simplicity of testing. Inappropriate activation of the complement cascade has been implicated in the pathogenesis of AD. Complement factor H (CFH) is a regulator of the cascade, but studies on plasma CFH levels in AD have provided mixed results. This study compared plasma CFH levels in 317 AD cases with 254 controls using an immunodiffusion assay. The sample had an 80% power to detect a difference of 23 mg/L between cases and controls, but no difference was evident. Plasma CFH may not be a suitable biomarker for AD.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Medical Education, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Senior Scientist, Regional Immunology Lab, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Haughton
authors.affiliation: Queen's University of Belfast, Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences - Block A, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.affiliation: Northern Health and Social Care Trust, 45 Bush Rd, County Antrim, UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.affiliation: Queen's University of Belfast, Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences - Block A, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: A Peter
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Passmore
authors.affiliation: Queen's University of Belfast, Centre for Experimental Medicine, Institute of Clinical Science A, Queen's University of Belfast, Grosvenor Road, Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: Giuliana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Silvestri
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood*; D017242:Complement Factor H / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D017242:Complement Factor H
keywords: Alzheimer's disease; biological markers; complement factor H