Reactive astrogliosis is associated with higher cerebral glucose consumption in the early Alzheimer's continuum

• Purpose Glial activation is one of the earliest mechanisms to be altered in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) relates to reactive astrogliosis and can be measured in both cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood. Plasma GFAP has been suggested to become altered earlier in AD than its CSF counterpart. Although astrocytes consume approximately half of the glucose-derived energy in the brain, the relationship between reactive astrogliosis and cerebral glucose metabolism is poorly understood. Here, we aimed to investigate the association between fluorodeoxyglucose ([F-18]FDG) uptake and reactive astrogliosis, by means of GFAP quantified in both plasma and CSF for the same participants. Methods We included 314 cognitively unimpaired participants from the ALFA + cohort, 112 of whom were amyloid-beta (A beta) positive. Associations between GFAP markers and [F-18]FDG uptake were studied. We also investigated whether these associations were modified by A beta and tau status (AT stages). Results Plasma GFAP was positively associated with glucose consumption in the whole brain, while CSF GFAP associations with [F-18]FDG uptake were only observed in specific smaller areas like temporal pole and superior temporal lobe. These associations persisted when accounting for biomarkers of A beta pathology but became negative in A beta-positive and tau-positive participants (A + T +) in similar areas of AD-related hypometabolism. Conclusions Higher astrocytic reactivity, probably in response to early AD pathological changes, is related to higher glucose consumption. With the onset of tau pathology, the observed uncoupling between astrocytic biomarkers and glucose consumption might be indicative of a failure to sustain the higher energetic demands required by reactive astrocytes.

Ämnesord

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

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

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Radiologi och bildbehandling (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Glia

Gliosis

Astroglia

Reactive astrocyte

Glucose metabolism

Glucose consumption

energy-metabolism

amyloid-pet

brain

astrocytes

disease

plasma

neuroinflammation

neurons

protein

signal

Radiology

Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)