Increased cerebrospinal fluid A beta38/A beta42 ratio in Alzheimer disease

Neurodegener Dis. 2005;2(5):242-5. doi: 10.1159/000090363.

Abstract

We quantitated amyloid beta peptide (A beta) 38, A beta40 and A beta42 levels in matched CSF and plasma from Alzheimer disease (AD) patients and controls. CSF A beta38 and A beta40 levels were similar in AD patients and in controls; however, they were higher in controls with APOE upsilon4 allele than those without. CSF A beta42 levels were lower in AD patients than in controls. The CSF A beta38/42 ratio was higher in AD patients than controls, consistent with the previously reported higher A beta40/42 ratio. A beta38, A beta40 and A beta42 levels in plasma were similar in AD patients and in controls and showed no relationship to levels in CSF. Our findings suggest that the increased CSF A beta38/42 ratio found in AD patients is derived entirely from reduction of CSF A beta42 levels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease / blood
  • Alzheimer Disease / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Alzheimer Disease / psychology
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / blood
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Apolipoproteins E / blood
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Peptide Fragments / blood
  • Peptide Fragments / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Reference Values

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Apolipoproteins E
  • Peptide Fragments
  • amyloid beta-protein (1-38)
  • amyloid beta-protein (1-42)