AD-Related CSF Biomarkers Across Distinct Levels of Cognitive Impairment: Correlations With Global Cognitive State

Abstract

Aim: Associations between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with the severity of cognitive impairment are unclear. We examined the correlations between CSF biomarkers and cognitive performance in the AD continuum. Methods: We studied 143 elderly patients: cognitively unimpaired (n = 51), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) amnestic (n = 55) and nonamnestic (n = 20), and mild AD (n = 17) assessed with the Cambridge Cognitive Test (CAMCOG). We correlated total CAMCOG and its subdomains with CSF Aβ42, T-tau, p-tau levels, and Aβ42/p-tau. Results: In the total sample, T-tau and Aβ42/p-tau correlated with the total CAMCOG ( P < .01); all biomarkers correlated with memory ( P < .001); T-tau correlated with language ( P < .01). Conclusion: Memory and T-tau levels may be the most suitable parameters to reflect cognitive/CSF biomarker correlations. At present, such correlations are of little use in routine clinical practice.