We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Events

09 Apr 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
15 Apr 2024 - 17 Apr 2024
23 Apr 2024 - 26 Apr 2024

CSF biomarkers Compared for Down Syndrome and Inherited Alzheimer’s

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 19 Aug 2021
Print article
Image: Representative example of amyloid-β plaques (Aβ1-42; brown staining; arrowheads) and neurofibrillary tangles (PHF1 antibody; blue staining; arrow) in the frontal cortex of a 46-year-old person with Down syndrome and end-stage Alzheimer disease. (Photo courtesy of University of California, Irvine).
Image: Representative example of amyloid-β plaques (Aβ1-42; brown staining; arrowheads) and neurofibrillary tangles (PHF1 antibody; blue staining; arrow) in the frontal cortex of a 46-year-old person with Down syndrome and end-stage Alzheimer disease. (Photo courtesy of University of California, Irvine).
Although most people with Down’s syndrome will experience brain changes as they age, not everyone will develop Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. Whilst having Down’s syndrome does put a person at increased risk, estimated at 1 in 3 people in their 50s, and closer to 2 in 3 aged over 60, it is not inevitable for all.

Due to trisomy of chromosome 21 and the resultant extra copy of the amyloid precursor protein gene, nearly all adults with Down syndrome develop Alzheimer's disease pathology by the age of 40 years and are at high risk for dementia given their increased life expectancy compared with adults with Down syndrome in the past.

A large team of Neuroscientists led by those at Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis, MO, USA) and their colleagues carried out a cross-sectional study that included 341 individuals (178 [52%] women, 163 [48%] men, aged 30–61 years). Participants were 41 adults with Down syndrome, similarly aged carriers of autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease mutations (n=192), and non-carrier siblings (n=108). Participants with baseline cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), available clinical diagnosis, and apolipoprotein E genotype as of January 31, 2019, were included in the analysis.

CSF samples obtained from adults with Down syndrome, similarly aged carriers of autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease mutations, and non-carrier siblings (aged 30–61 years) were analyzed for markers of amyloid β (Aβ1–40, Aβ1–42); tau phosphorylated at threonine 181-related processes; neuronal, axonal, or synaptic injury (total tau, visinin-like protein 1, neurofilament light chain [NfL], synaptosomal-associated protein 25); and astrogliosis and neuroinflammation (chitinase-3-like protein 1 [YKL-40]) via immunoassay.

The team reported that individuals with Down syndrome had patterns of Alzheimer's disease-related CSF biomarkers remarkably similar to carriers of autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease mutations, including reductions in Aβ 1-42 to Aβ 1-40 ratio and increases in markers of phosphorylated tau-related processes; neuronal, axonal, and synaptic injury; and astrogliosis and neuroinflammation, with greater degrees of abnormality in individuals with dementia. Differences included overall higher concentrations of Aβ and YKL-40 in Down syndrome and potential elevations in CSF tau and NfL in the asymptomatic stage (i.e., no dementia symptoms). The study was published in the August edition of the journal Lancet Neurology.


Related Links:
Washington University School of Medicine

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
One Step HbA1c Measuring System
GREENCARE A1c
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
Gold Member
ADAMTS-13 Protease Activity Test
ATS-13 Activity Assay

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The OvaCis Rapid Test discriminates benign from malignant epithelial ovarian cysts (Photo courtesy of INEX)

Intra-Operative POC Device Distinguishes Between Benign and Malignant Ovarian Cysts within 15 Minutes

Ovarian cysts represent a significant health issue for women globally, with up to 10% experiencing this condition at some point in their lives. These cysts form when fluid collects within a thin membrane... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.