Which features of subjective cognitive decline are related to amyloid pathology? Findings from the DELCODE study

Abstract

Background Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) has been proposed as a pre-MCI at-risk condition of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Current research is focusing on a refined assessment of specific SCD features associated with increased risk for AD, as proposed in the SCD-plus criteria. We developed a structured interview (SCD-I) for the assessment of these features and tested their relationship with AD biomarkers. Methods We analyzed data of 205 cognitively normal participants of the DELCODE study (mean age = 68.9 years; 52% female) with available CSF AD biomarkers (Aß-42, p-Tau181, Aß-42/Tau ratio, total Tau). For each of five cognitive domains (including memory, language, attention, planning, others), a study physician asked participants about the following SCD-plus features: the presence of subjective decline, associated worries, onset of SCD, feeling of worse performance than others of the same age group, and informant confirmation. We compared AD biomarkers of subjects endorsing each of these questions with those who did not, controlling for age. SCD was also quantified by two summary scores: the number of fulfilled SCD-plus features, and the number of domains with experienced decline. Covariate-adjusted linear regression analyses were used to test whether these SCD scores predicted abnormality in AD biomarkers. Results Lower Aß-42 levels were associated with a reported decline in memory and language abilities, and with the following SCD-plus features: onset of subjective decline within 5 years , confirmation of cognitive decline by an informant , and decline-related worries . Furthermore, both quantitative SCD scores were associated with lower Aß42 and lower Aß42/Tau ratio, but not with total Tau or p-Tau181. Conclusions Findings support the usefulness of a criterion-based interview approach to assess and quantify SCD in the context of AD and validate the current SCD-plus features as predictors of AD pathology. While some features seem to be more closely associated with AD biomarkers than others, aggregated scores over several SCD-plus features or SCD domains may be the best predictors of AD pathology. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13195-019-0515-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Association of serum apolipoprotein B with cerebrospinal fluid Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers in patients with subjective cognitive decline

“…Results showed that, compared with the CN subgroup, although there was no significant cognitive decline, there were obvious changes in CSF AD core biomarkers (especially Aβ-related biomarkers) in the SCD subgroup, which were consistent with previous studies [8,24]. In fact, accumulating cross-sectional or longitudinal evidence has supported that SCD occurred at the preclinical stage of AD and might serve as a symptomatic indicator of preclinical AD [7,8,[24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. Our analysis of population characteristics showed that, in our study, SCD participants had preclinical AD characteristics.…”

Association of plasma apolipoprotein B with cerebrospinal fluid Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers in patients with subjective cognitive decline

“…This study is the first to systematically explore cross-sectional associations of CSF AD core biomarkers with ApoB, ApoA1, and First of all, we analyzed the characteristics of SCD participants included in our study. Results showed that, compared with the CN subgroup, although there was no significant cognitive decline, there were obvious changes in CSF AD core biomarkers (especially Aβ-related biomarkers) in the SCD subgroup, which were consistent with previous studies [8,24]. In fact, accumulating cross-sectional or longitudinal evidence has supported that SCD Finally we detailed the associations of ApoB, ApoA1, and ApoB/A1 with CSF AD core biomarkers in total participants or different diagnostic subgroups and analyzed the factors that might affect these associations.…”

Reduced Levels of Cerebrospinal Fluid/Plasma Aβ40 as an Early Biomarker for Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy in RTg-DI Rats

“…Previous studies have shown that as brain parenchymal plaques accumulate in AD there is a significant decrease in the levels of Aβ42 detected in CSF as this peptide accumulates in brain [30,31]. Accordingly, CSF Aβ42 levels have provided a surrogate biomarker for the parenchymal plaque burden in brain and have assisted in the clinical diagnosis of AD [32,33]. In contrast to plaques, CAA deposits are largely composed of the shorter Aβ40 peptide [1,2].…”