Clinicopathological and molecular heterogeneity of amyloid-β in unnatural deaths under 70 years: A forensic autopsy-based study.

Abstract

This study investigated the clinicopathological characteristics and molecular spectrum of amyloid-beta (Aβ) in unnatural deaths among relatively young individuals with moderate-to-severe Aβ deposition, including cases of early-onset Alzheimer's disease. A total of 856 forensic autopsy cases aged 40-69 years were analyzed. Detailed semiquantitative and quantitative immunohistochemical analyses were performed in the neocortex, striatum (caudate nucleus, putamen, and nucleus accumbens [NAc]), and amygdala using antibodies targeting multiple Aβ species (Aβ38, Aβ39, Aβ40, Aβ42, Aβ43, pyroglutamate-modified Aβ at the third glutamate residue [AβNp3E], and serine 8-phosphorylated Aβ), as well as phosphorylated tau. Ward's hierarchical cluster analysis was also performed. Thirty-three cases (eight females; 3.9%), including six early-onset Alzheimer's disease cases, were identified. Three cases exhibited genetic abnormalities (one with Down syndrome and two with presenilin 1 [PSEN1] mutations). Marked regional heterogeneity in Aβ molecular profiles was observed, particularly within the striatum. Notably, the NAc displayed a distinct pattern of Aβ deposition and occasional NAc-predominant cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Cases with cognitive impairment (CI) demonstrated more advanced Aβ and tau pathology than CI-negative cases; notably, interstitial Aβ42 and Aβ43 burdens were significantly elevated across all regions. Strikingly, siblings carrying the same PSEN1 mutation-one with CI and the other without-exhibited divergent pathological patterns. Although suicide accounted for approximately one-third of cases, a higher neocortical Aβ burden was associated with a lower frequency of suicide, and no significant difference in suicide rates was observed compared with cases lacking substantial Aβ deposition. Cluster analysis identified a subgroup characterized by relatively elevated striatal Aβ deposition, particularly AβNp3E. Collectively, these findings indicate that the severity of Aβ deposition is not directly associated with suicide. However, early involvement of the NAc may contribute to depressive states, and region-specific Aβ species-particularly Aβ42, Aβ43, and AβNp3E-may be associated with increased cognitive vulnerability in this age group.