Role of tau deposition in early cognitive decline in Down syndrome.

Abstract

Introduction:

Drawing on the amyloid/tau/neurodegeneration (AT[N]) model, the study examined whether the tau positron emission tomography (PET) biomarker [18F]AV-1451 was associated with episodic memory problems beyond what was predicted by the amyloid beta (Aβ) PET in Down syndrome (DS).

Methods:

Data from 123 non-demented adults with DS (M  = 47 years, standard deviation = 6.34) were analyzed. The Cued Recall Test assessed episodic memory. Tau PET standardized update value ratio (SUVR) was assessed across Braak regions as continuous and binary (high tau [TH] vs. low tau [TL]) variable. Global PET Aβ SUVR was assessed as binary variable (Aβ- vs. Aβ+).

Results:

In models adjusting for controls, tau SUVR was negatively associated with episodic memory performance in the Aβ+ but not Aβ- group. The Aβ+/TH group evidenced significantly worse episodic memory than the Aβ+/TL group.

Discussion:

Similar to late-onset and autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease (AD), high tau was an indicator of early prodromal AD in DS.

• Authors: Sigan L Hartley, Benjamin L Handen, Dana Tudorascu, Laise Lee, Annie Cohen, Brianna Piro-Gambetti, Matthew Zammit, William Klunk, Charles Laymon, Shahid Zaman, Beau M Ances, Marwan Sabbagh, Bradley T Christian
• Journal: Alzheimer's & dementia (Amsterdam, Netherlands) (Alzheimers Dement (Amst)) Vol. 14 Issue 1 Pg. e12256 ( 2022) ISSN: 2352-8729 [Print] United States
• PMID: 35386473 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2022 The Authors. Alzheimer's & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring published by Wiley Periodicals, LLC on behalf of Alzheimer's Association.