Plasma biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in American Indians: The Strong Heart Study

• DOI: 10.1002/alz.13664
• Publication Date: 2024-01-12T18:44:31Z
• Authors: Astrid M. Suchy‐D...; W. T. Longstreth; Kristoffer Rhoads; Jason Umans; Dedra Buchwald; Thomas Grabowski; Kaj Blennow; Eric Reiman; Henrik Zetterberg
• Keywords: Etiology

Abstract INTRODUCTION Identification of Alzheimer's disease (AD) needs inexpensive, noninvasive biomarkers, with validation in all populations. METHODS We collected plasma markers older American Indian individuals: phosphorylated‐tau181 (pTau181); amyloid‐beta (Aβ) 40,42; glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP); and neurofilament light chain (NfL). Plasma were analyzed for discriminant properties cognitive status etiology using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS PTau181, GFAP, NfL values significantly associated cognition, but Aβ not. Discriminant performance was moderate individual markers, pTau181, performing best, an empirically selected panel (age, sex, education, NfL, Aβ4240 ratio) had excellent (AUC > 0.8). DISCUSSION In individuals, pTau181 suggested more common pathology than majority less informative other populations; however, four needed a best‐performing dementia diagnostic model. These data validate utility AD while suggesting population‐specific characteristics.