TauProtein and Beta-amyloid as Diagnostic Markers for Alzheimer’s Disease (Pilot Study)

Overview

Protein and Beta-amyloid as Diagnostic Markers for Alzheimer’s Disease (Pilot Study)Background:
Several studies were performed focused on the possibilities to utilize biochemicalmarkers in the diagnostics of Alzheimer disease (AD) during the last years. Tau protein level increase,and beta-amyloid (1-42) level decrase were found in the cerebrospinal fl uid (CSF) in AD patients.Methods_ In a hospital-based study, laboratory assessment of tau protein and beta-amyloid(1-42),CSF levels was performed in 21 patients with dementia,and a control group of 21 patients withmultiple sclerosis (MS). Genetic typing of apolipoprotein APO E, and comparison of the result of bothbiochemical, and genetic examinations were also performed in dementia patients.Results: Tau protein CSF level was elevated in 67% of AD patients, 67% of patients with vasculardementia (VD), and 17% of patients with mixed type of dementia(MD).Beta.amyloid (1-42) CFS leveldecrease was present in 67% of AD, 33% of VD, and 33% of MD patients. Concurrent tau protein levelincrease and beta-amyloid level decrease was found in 50% of AD, 22% of VD, and 0% of MD patients.Tau protein level was not increased in any control group subject; beta-.amyloid (1-42) level decrease waspresent in 81% of these cases. The confi rmation of clinical diagnosis of AD based on the evaluationof tau protein and beta-amyloid ratio was secure in 50%, and borderline in 33% of the cases. Theconfi rmatiom of clinical diagnosis of AD based on the evaluation of tau protein and beta-amyloidratio was secure in 50%, and borderline in 33% of cases.Conclusion: The assessment ot tau protein and beta-amyloid (1-42) CSF levels may be of benefi t in thediagnosis of AD.

Key words:
Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, beta-amyloid(1-42), tau protein, Apo E apolipoprotein,diagnostics.