Blood biomarker profiles in young-onset neurocognitive disorders: a cohort study

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONThis study investigates the blood biomarkers associated with young-onset neurocognitive disorders.METHODSSixty-five participants less than 65 years old with neurocognitive symptoms (median age at assessment of 58 years, 42% female) were categorised as either early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (EOAD, n=18), non-AD neurodegeneration (nAD-ND, n=23) or primary psychiatric disorders (PPD, n=24). Levels of neurofilament light chain, glial fibrillary acidic protein and phosphorylated-tau 181, apolipoprotein E genotype and late-onset AD polygenic risk scores were determined. Information-theoretic model selection identified discriminatory factors.RESULTS: Glial fibrillary acidic protein was up to 3.5-fold higher in individuals with EOAD compared to other diagnostic categories. A combination of cognitive and blood biomarkers, but not the polygenic risk score, discriminated between diagnostic categories. Phosphorylated-tau 181 alone significantly discriminated between EOAD and nAD-ND causes.DISCUSSIONDiscriminating between EOAD, nAD-ND and PPD causes of young-onset neurocognitive symptoms is possible by combining cognitive profiles with blood biomarkers.