Karger Publishers, Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 5-6(21), p. 291-295, 2006
DOI: 10.1159/000091436
Full text: Download
<i>Background/Aims:</i> Attempting to improve the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the neurofilament heavy chain isoform, NfH<sup>SMI35</sup> was compared to other CSF markers [total tau, phospho-tau, amyloid beta 1–42 (Aβ42), the ratio of amyloid beta fragments Aβ42/Aβ40 (Aβ ratio)]. <i>Methods:</i> CSF levels were determined in patients with AD (n = 109), mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 25), frontotemporal dementia (n = 15), vascular dementia (VD, n = 41), and controls (n = 58). <i>Results:</i> CSF NfH<sup>SMI35</sup> was elevated in AD and VD as compared to controls (p < 0.05). Total tau was higher in AD as compared to controls (p < 0.05). CSF phospho-tau was elevated in AD as compared to controls and VD (p < 0.05 each). CSF Aβ42 and Aβ ratios in AD were lower than in MCI and controls (p < 0.05 each). <i>Conclusion:</i> The diagnostic potential of NfH<sup>SMI35</sup> is not superior to that of other CSF markers.