Preclinical amyloid-β and axonal degeneration pathology in delirium

• Background: The clinical relevance of brain β-amyloidosis in older adults without dementia is not established. As delirium and dementia are strongly related, studies on patients with delirium may give pathophysiological clues. Objective: To determine whether the Alzheimer's disease (AD) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers amyloid-β 1-42 (Aβ42), total tau (T-tau), and phosphorylated tau (P-tau) are associated with delirium in hip fracture patients with and without dementia. Methods: CSF was collected in conjunction to spinal anesthesia in 129 patients. Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method once daily in all patients, both pre- and postoperatively. The diagnosis of dementia at admission was based upon clinical consensus. CSF levels of Aβ42, T-tau, and P-tau were analyzed. Results: In patients without dementia, we found lower CSF Aβ42 levels (median, 310ng/L versus 489ng/L, p=0.006), higher T-tau levels (median, 505ng/L versus 351ng/L, p=0.02), but no change in P-tau in patients who developed delirium (n=16) compared to those who remained lucid (n=49). Delirious patients also had lower ratios of Aβ42 to T-tau (p<0.001) and P-tau (p=0.001) relative to those without delirium. CSF Aβ42 and T-tau remained significantly associated with delirium status in adjusted analyses. In patients with dementia, CSF biomarker levels did not differ between those with (n=54) and without delirium (n=10). Conclusion: The reduction in CSF Aβ42, indicating β-amyloidosis, and increase in T-tau, indicating neurodegeneration, in hip fracture patients without dementia developing delirium indicates that preclinical AD brain pathology is clinically relevant and possibly plays a role in delirium pathophysiology.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Neurologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Neurology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Neurovetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Neurosciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Alzheimer's disease

biomarkers

cerebrospinal fluid

delirium

dementia

physiopathology

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)