The Association of Alzheimer’s Disease-related Blood-based Biomarkers with Cognitive Test Performance in the Congolese Population Open Access
Schwinne, Megan (Spring 2023)
Published
Abstract
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia and a major global burden, is commonly diagnosed via neuroimaging or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker testing of phosphorylated tau (p-tau) 181 and amyloid (Aβ) 42/40. However, these diagnostic methods are invasive and expensive. This study aims to examine if AD-related blood-based biomarkers are associated with cognitive test performance, specifically in the Congolese population, where limited research has been conducted. In this cross-sectional study comprised of 81 individuals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), cognitive tests, including the Alzheimer’s Questionnaire (AQ) and the Community Screening Interview for Dementia (CSID) were performed to distinguish dementia cases from healthy controls. Blood draws were then conducted to analyze p-tau 181 and Aβ-42/40 biomarkers. Multiple linear regression models were performed to analyze relationships between the biomarkers and cognitive test performance. Aβ-42/40 was significantly associated with a lower CSID score and a higher AQ score, which is typical of AD (p<0.001). These relationships were seen in healthy controls (CSID p=0.01, AQ p=0.03), but were not significant amongst dementia cases. However, p-tau 181 did not show significant associations with either cognitive test. Common risk factors and potential confounders did not alter these relationships. Understanding relationships between common AD-related cognitive tests and blood-biomarkers is a step towards utilization of blood-based biomarker tests as a screening tool for AD. With that said, further research needs to be conducted to evaluate blood biomarker test efficacy in larger samples and other populations.
Table of Contents
BACKGROUND……………………...…………………………………….……………….......1
METHODS………………………………………………………………………….…......…….6
RESULTS…………………………………………………………………..…………….…..…10
DISCUSSION………………………………………………………………………………...…12
CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………………….…...15
REFERENCES………………………………………………………………………..……..….17
TABLES…………………………………………………………………………………..…..…19
FIGURE 1………………………………………………………………………………….....…23
SUPPLEMENT 1………………………………………………………………….…….…...…24
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