Damaged protein identified as early biomarker for Alzheimer's

February, 2010

Evidence that levels of damaged tau protein in the cerebrospinal fluid is associated with atrophy in the medial temporal lobe may help diagnose Alzheimer’s early.

A study involving 57 cognitively healthy older adults has found that those who showed decreased memory performance two years later (20 of the 57) had higher baseline levels of phosphorylated tau231 in the cerebrospinal fluid, and more atrophy in the medial temporal lobe. Higher levels of damaged tau protein were associated with reductions in medial temporal lobe gray matter. The finding may be useful in early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-02/nlmc-dpi022310.php

Reference: 

[179] Glodzik, L., de Santi S., Tsui W H., Mosconi L., Zinkowski R., Pirraglia E., et al.
(Submitted).  Phosphorylated tau 231, memory decline and medial temporal atrophy in normal elders.
Neurobiology of Aging. In Press, Corrected Proof,