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. 2023 Jan;19(1):36-43.
doi: 10.1002/alz.12647. Epub 2022 Mar 2.

Medical comorbidities and ethnicity impact plasma Alzheimer's disease biomarkers: Important considerations for clinical trials and practice

Sid E O'Bryant  1 , Melissa Petersen  1   2 , James Hall  1 , Leigh A Johnson  1   3 ; HABS-HD Study Team
Affiliations

Medical comorbidities and ethnicity impact plasma Alzheimer's disease biomarkers: Important considerations for clinical trials and practice

Sid E O'Bryant et al. Alzheimers Dement. 2023 Jan.

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the clinical implementation, there remain significant gaps in our knowledge regarding the impact of race/ethnicity or common medical comorbidity on plasma Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers.

Methods: Plasma biomarkers of amyloid beta (Aβ)40, Aβ42 , total tau, and neurofilament light chain (NfL) were measured across cognitively normal Mexican Americans (n = 445) and non-Hispanic Whites (n = 520).

Results: Dyslipidemia was associated with elevated Aβ40 (P = .01) and Aβ42 (P = .001) while hypertension was associated with elevated Aβ40 (P = .003), Aβ42 (P < .001), and total tau (P = .002) levels. Diabetes was associated with higher Aβ40 (P < .001), Aβ42 (P < .001), total tau (P < .001), and NfL (P < .001) levels. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was associated with elevations in Aβ40 (P < .001), Aβ42 (P < .001), total tau (P < .001), and NfL (P < .001) levels. Mexican Americans had significantly lower Aβ40 (P < .001) and higher total tau (P = .005) levels.

Discussion: Plasma AD biomarkers vary significantly in association with common medical comorbidities as well as ethnicity. These findings are important for those using these biomarkers in clinical practice and clinical trials.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Mexican Americans; health disparities; plasma biomarkers.

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References

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