AT(N) predicts near-term development of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms in unimpaired older adults
Authors: Strikwerda-Brown Cherie , Gonneaud Julie , Hobbs Diana A. , St-Onge Frédéric , Binette Alexa Pichet , Ozlen Hazal , Provost Karine , Soucy Jean-Paul , Buckley Rachel F. , Benzinger Tammie L.S. , Morris John C. , Villemagne Victor L. , Doré Vincent , Sperling Reisa A. , Johnson Keith A. , Rowe Christopher C. , Gordon Brian A. , Poirier Judes , Breitner John C.S. , Villeneuve Sylvia ,   the AIBL,   Knight ADRC,   HABS and PREVENT-AD research groups
Published: May 2022

Importance

National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer’s Association (NIA-AA) workgroups have proposed biological research criteria intended to identify individuals with preclinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Objective

Assess the clinical value of these biological criteria for prediction of near-term cognitive impairment in cognitively unimpaired older individuals.

Design, Setting, and Participants

We studied 580 cognitively unimpaired older adults from four independent cohorts (PREVENT-AD: 128; HABS: 153; AIBL: 48; Knight ADRC: 251) having ≥1 year of clinical observation following Aβ and tau PET (median follow-up: PREVENT-AD = 3.16 yrs [1.51-4.50]; HABS = 1.94yrs [1.13-5.42]; AIBL = 3.66yrs [1.72-5.98]); Knight ADRC = 3.01 yrs [1.04-6.20]).

Exposures

Based on binary assessment of global amyloid burden (A) and of a composite temporal region of tau PET uptake (T), we stratified participants into four groups (A+T+, A+T-, A-T+, A-T-). Presence (+) or absence (-) of neurodegeneration (N) was assessed using temporal cortical thickness.

Main Outcomes and Measures

We analyzed each cohort separately. Primary outcome was clinical progression to mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A secondary outcome was cognitive decline. We compared MCI progression and cognitive decline across the four biomarker groups. MCI was identified by consensus committee review in PREVENT-AD, HABS, and AIBL, and by a CDR ≥ 0.5 in Knight ADRC. Clinical raters were blinded to imaging, genetic, and fluid biomarker data. Using a composite measure, cognitive decline was identified by a slope >1 SD below that of A-T- ‘non-progressors’.

Results

Across cohorts, 32 - 83% of A+T+ participants progressed to MCI during follow-up (mean progression time 2.0 - 2.72 years), as compared with <12% of participants in other biomarker groups. In two cohorts, progression increased to 100% when A+T+ individuals were also (N+). Cox proportional hazard ratios for progression to MCI in the A+T+ group vs. other biomarker groups were >5. Many A+T+ ‘non-progressors’ nonetheless showed longitudinal cognitive decline, while cognitive trajectories in other groups remained predominantly stable.

Conclusions and Relevance

Clinical prognostic value of the NIA-AA research criteria was confirmed in four independent cohorts, with nearly all A+T+(N+) cognitively unimpaired older individuals developing AD symptoms within ∼2-3 years.

Key Points

Question

What is the clinical relevance of the AT(N) biological classification of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in unimpaired older adults?

Findings

In this prospective study of 580 cognitively unimpaired participants from four independent cohorts, between 31.58 and 100% of A+T+(N+) participants progressed to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) within 2-3 years after PET. The majority of A+T+ non-progressors also showed cognitive decline.

Meaning

Cognitively unimpaired older adults with biological AD are at imminent risk of developing MCI. These individuals may be ideal candidates for disease modifying therapies.