阿尔茨海默病中苏氨酸231上磷酸化tau蛋白的脑脊液水平与海马萎缩率间的相关性

Correlation of cerebrospinal fluid levels of tau protein phosphorylated at threonine 231 with rates of hippocampal atrophy in Alzheimer disease

Background: The microtubule-associated tau protein abnormally phosphorylated at threonine 231 (p-tau231) has been investigated as a potential marker of Alzh eimer disease. Levels of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)p-tau231 vary across patients with Alzheimer disease. We hypothesized that these variations partially reflect differences in the degree of neuronal damage and therefore may be used to predi ct structural disease progression. Objective: To investigate whether CSF p-tau2 31 levels correlate with rates of hippocampal atrophy as an in vivo marker of re gional neuronal loss. Design and Patients: We measured hippocampal volumes on th e basis of serial magnetic resonance image exanimations in 22 patients with Alzh eimer disease. In addition, we determined CSF p-tau231 levels at baseline. Resu lts: Levels of CSF p-tau231 were significantly correlated with baseline hippoca mpal volumes (P < .001) and rates of hippocampal atrophy (left hippocampus, P < .001; right hippocampus, P=.02), independent of disease duration and severity. C onclusion: These findings suggest that variations in p-tau231 levels may be use d to predict progression of brain atrophy in patients with Alzheimer disease.