Generalizability of tau and amyloid plasma biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease cohorts of diverse genetic ancestries
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Plasma phosphorylated threonine 181 of tau (pTau181) and amyloid beta (Aβ) are biomarkers for differential diagnosis and preclinical detection of Alzheimer disease (AD). Given differences in AD risk across diverse populations, the generalizability of existing biomarker data is not assured. METHODS: In 2086 individuals of diverse genetic ancestries (African American, Caribbean Hispanic, and Peruvian), we measured plasma pTau181 and Aβ42/Aβ40. Differences in biomarkers between cohorts and clinical diagnosis groups and the potential discriminative performance of the two biomarkers were assessed. RESULTS: pTau181 and Aβ42/Aβ40 were consistent across cohorts. Higher levels of pTau181 were associated with AD, while Aβ42/Aβ40 had minimal differences. Correspondingly, pTau181 had a greater predictive value than Aβ42/Aβ40; however, the area under the curve differed between cohorts. DISCUSSION: pTau181 as a plasma biomarker for clinical AD is generalizable across genetic ancestries, but its predictive value may vary. Combining genomic and biomarker data from diverse individuals will increase understanding of genetic risk and refine clinical diagnoses. HIGHLIGHTS: This is a diverse ancestry study of plasma biomarkers for AD. Plasma biomarkers were assessed in African Americans, Caribbean Hispanics, and Peruvians. Biomarker levels were consistent across the diverse cohorts. Plasma phosphorylated tau was higher in AD in all cohorts. Plasma biomarker findings in diverse cohorts largely generalize with existing European studies.
Source: Alzheimer s & Dementia
DOI: 10.1002/alz.14367
Authors: Anthony J. Griswold, Farid Rajabli, Tianjie Gu, Jamie Arvizu, Charles G. Golightly, Patrice L. Whitehead, Kara L. Hamilton‐Nelson, Larry D. Adams, Jose J. Sanchez, Pedro R. Mena, Takiyah D. Starks, Maryenela Illanes‐Manrique, Concepcion Silva, William S. Bush, Michael L. Cuccaro, Jeffery M. Vance, Mario R. Cornejo‐Olivas, Briseida E. Feliciano‐Astacio, Goldie S. Byrd, Gary W. Beecham, Jonathan L. Haines, Margaret A. Pericak‐Vance
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,200
Awards: Genomic, Epigenomic, and Transcriptomic Mechanisms of Contributing to Alzheimer's Disease Risk in Diverse Ancestral Populations, Neuroanatomical associations with the factor structure underlying neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's disease, Replication and Extension of ADSP Discoveries in African-Americans, Whole Genome Sequencing in Ethnically Diverse Cohorts for the ADSP Follow-Up Study (FUS), Additional Sequencing Cohorts for the Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project, Using RDoC Negative and Positive Valence Paradigms to Investigate the Mechanisms of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms (NPS) in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias, The Origins of Alzheimer Disease in Individuals of African Ancestry, G9000269964, G9000273041, Genomic Characterization of Alzheimer Disease Risk in Admixed Populations with Native American and Southern European Genetic Ancestry, The Origins of Alzheimer Disease in African Americans, Characterizing the Genetic Risk for Alzheimer Disease in African and Admixed African-American Ancestries, Genetic and neuroanatomical basis of neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's disease in populations of diverse ancestry, Recruitment and Retention for Alzheimer's Disease Diversity Genetic Cohorts in the ADSP (READD-ADSP), Genomic, Epigenomic, and Transcriptomic Mechanisms of Contributing to Alzheimer's Disease Risk in Diverse Ancestral Populations
OpenAlex ID: W4408884673