COGNITIVE PROFILE IN PD DEMENTIA PATIENTS WITH LOW VERSUS NORMAL CSF AMYLOID BETA

Abstract

Background: In patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid beta 1-42 (Ab42) at baseline is the most consistent CSF biomarker as a risk factor for developing dementia. Low CSF Ab42 is, however, a typical hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Hence, low CSF Ab42 in patients with PD may indicate presence of co-morbid AD pathology and may predict a more AD-like cognitive profile when they develop dementia. Our study aims to investigate if low CSF Ab42 at baseline is associated with a more AD-like cognitive profile in PD patients with dementia. Methods: In a prospectively followed-up, population-based cohort of newly diagnosed PD patients, we compared the cognitive profile of dementia in those with a low CSF Ab42 level at baseline with that of patients who had normal levels, at the time when they developed dementia. Four different cognitive domain z scores (memory, attention, executive, visuospatial) were calculated. Patients were subdivided into three tertiles or categorized dichotomously, based on the baseline CSF Ab42 levels as measured by ECL and ELISA. Results: During 10-year follow-up, 37 patients met the inclusion criteria. Memory domain composite z-scores, memory subtests z-scores and the difference between long-delay free recall versus recognition scores were not significantly different between the groups. Composite z-scores of visuospatial functions significantly differed between the tertiles, which was not significant after Bonferroni correction. In the dichotomous group analysis, z-scores of visuospatial functions significantly differed between the two groups. The other cognitive domain z-scores were not significantly different. Conclusions: In patients with PD dementia low CSF Ab42 level at baseline is not associated with a specific cognitive profile.