Table 3.
Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease
| Biomarkers | Pathogenic process | Changes seen in AD |
|---|---|---|
| Nonspecific or basic biomarkers | ||
| CSF cell count | Inflammation | Normal |
| CSF:serum albumin ratio | BBB function | Normal |
| Intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis | Inflammation | Normal |
| Specific or core biomarkers | ||
| Total-tau | Neuronal injury | Marked increased (but not specific for AD) |
| Phosphorylated-tau | Neurofibrillary tangles | Marked increase (more specific for AD) |
| Aβ1-42 | Amyloid plaque | Marked reduction |
| Novel biomarkers | ||
| CSF BACE1 | Amyloidogenesis | Increased |
| Truncated amyloid-β isoforms | Amyloidogenesis | Increased |
| APP isoforms | APP products | Increased |
| F2-isoprostane | Mitochondrial dysfunction | Increased |
| Biomarkers of synaptic degeneration | Synaptic dysfunction | Increased |