Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease in Chinese Patients

Abstract

In view of the paucity of data on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers in Chinese patients, we evaluated the validity of tau, phosphorylated tau 181 (p-tau-181), amyloid β 42 (Aβ42), and Aβ40 proteins in Chinese patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We recruited 24 patients with AD, 12 nondemented controls, and 12 patients with non-AD dementia. We found the CSF levels of Aβ42, tau, p-tau, Aβ42–tau, and Aβ42–p-tau ratios, except the Aβ40 protein level, were significantly different among the 3 groups of patients. Patients with AD had higher levels of CSF tau and p-tau but lower levels of Aβ42 proteins, Aβ42–tau, and Aβ42–p-tau ratios than the nondemented controls. In the diagnosis of AD versus nondementia, the sensitivity and specificity of the ratios of Aβ42–tau and Aβ42–p-tau were 96% and 83% versus 92% and 83%, respectively. Only the Aβ42–p-tau ratio showed satisfactory sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of AD versus other dementia.