Plasma p-tau217 predicts cognitive impairments up to ten years before onset in normal older adults
Authors: Yakoub Yara , Gonzalez-Ortiz Fernando , Ashton Nicholas J. , Déry Christine , Strikwerda-Brown Cherie , St-Onge Frédéric , Ourry Valentin , Schöll Michael , Geddes Maiya R. , Ducharme Simon , Montembeault Maxime , Rosa-Neto Pedro , Soucy Jean-Paul , Breitner John C.S. , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Poirier Judes , Villeneuve Sylvia ,   PREVENT-AD Research Group
Published: May 2024

Importance

Positron emission tomography (PET) biomarkers are the gold standard for detection of Alzheimer amyloid and tauin vivo. Such imaging can identify cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals who will subsequently develop cognitive impartment (CI). Plasma biomarkers would be more practical than PET or even cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) assays in clinical settings.

Objective

Assess the prognostic accuracy of plasma p-tau217 in comparison to CSF and PET biomarkers for predicting the clinical progression from CU to CI.

Design

In a cohort of elderly at high risk of developing Alzheimer’s dementia (AD), we measured the proportion of CU individuals who developed CI, as predicted by Aβ (A+) and/or tau (T+) biomarker assessment from plasma, CSF, and PET. Results from each method were compared with (A-T-) reference individuals. Data were analyzed from June 2023 to April 2024.

Setting

Longitudinal observational cohort.

Participants

Some 228 participants from the PREVENT-AD cohort were CU at the time of biomarker assessment and had 1 - 10 years of follow-up. Plasma was available from 215 participants, CSF from 159, and amyloid- and tau-PET from 155. Ninety-three participants had assessment using all three methods (main group of interest). Progression to CI was determined by clinical consensus among physicians and neuropsychologists who were blind to plasma, CSF, PET, and MRI findings, as well asAPOEgenotype.

Exposures

Plasma Aβ42/40was measured using IP-MS; CSF Aβ42/40using Lumipulse; plasma and CSF p-tau217 using UGOT assay. Aβ-PET employed the18F-NAV4694 ligand, and tau-PET used18F-flortaucipir.

Main Outcome

Prognostic accuracy of plasma, CSF, and PET biomarkers for predicting the development of CI in CU individuals.

Results

Cox proportional hazard models indicated a greater progression rate in all A+T+ groups compared to A-T-groups (HR = 6.61 [95% CI = 2.06 – 21.17] for plasma, 3.62 [1.49 – 8.81] for CSF and 9.24 [2.34 – 36.43] for PET). The A-T+ groups were small, but also characterized with individuals who developed CI. Plasma biomarkers identified about five times more T+ than PET.

Conclusion and relevance

Plasma p-tau217 assessment is a practical method for identification of persons who will develop cognitive impairment up to 10 years later.

Key Points

Question

Can plasma p-tau217 serve as a prognostic indicator for identifying cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals at risk of developing cognitive impairments (CI)?

Findings

In a longitudinal cohort of CU individuals with a family history of sporadic AD, almost all individuals with abnormal plasma p-tau217 concentrations developed CI within 10 years, regardless of plasma amyloid levels. Similar findings were obtained with CSF p-tau217 and tau-PET. Fluid p-tau217 biomarkers had the main advantage over PET of identifying five times more participants with elevated tau.

Meaning

Elevated plasma p-tau217 levels in CU individuals strongly indicate future clinical progression