[Alzheimer's disease cerebro-spinal fluid biomarkers: A clinical research tool sometimes useful in daily clinical practice of memory clinics for the diagnosis of complex cases]

Rev Med Interne. 2017 Apr;38(4):250-255. doi: 10.1016/j.revmed.2016.10.383. Epub 2016 Nov 24.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The role of biomarkers in clinical research was recently highlighted in the new criteria for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers (total Tau protein, threonine 181 phosphorylated Tau protein and amyloid Aβ1-42 peptide) are associated with cerebral neuropathological lesions observed in Alzheimer's disease (neuronal death, neurofibrillary tangle with abnormal Tau deposits and amyloid plaque). Aβ1-40 amyloid peptide dosage helps to interpret Aβ1-42 results. As suggested in the latest international criteria and the French HAS (Haute Autorité de santé) recommendations, using theses CSF biomarkers should not be systematic but sometimes could be performed to improve confidence about the diagnostic of Alzheimer's disease in young subjects or in complex clinical situations. Future biomarkers actually in development will additionally help in diagnostic process (differential diagnosis) and in prognostic evaluation of neurodegenerative diseases.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Biomarkers; Biomarqueurs; Cerebro-spinal fluid; Liquide cérébro-spinal; Lumbar puncture; Maladie d’Alzheimer; Ponction lombaire.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnosis*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Biomarkers / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Biomedical Research / methods
  • Biomedical Research / trends
  • Dementia / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Dementia / diagnosis*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Memory / physiology
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'
  • tau Proteins / cerebrospinal fluid

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Biomarkers
  • tau Proteins