Cerebrospinal fluid levels of amyloid beta-peptide(1-42), but not tau havepositive correlation with brain glucose metabolism in humans

To address the question of whether assay for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leve ls of amyloid beta-peptide 1-42 (A beta(1-42)) and tau allow us to monitor the neurodegenerative processes that lead to a progressive and massive deat h of neurons in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and non-AD patients, cerebral gluc ose metabolism using 2-[F-18] fluoro-2-deoxy-glucose was quantified by posi tron emission tomography in fifteen AD patients and ni ne non-AD patients w ith defined levels of CSF-A beta(1-42) and CSF-tau. The CSF-A beta(1-42) le vels, but not the CSF-tau levels, in both AD and non-AD patients consistent ly and significantly correlated with global and, in particular, temporal lo be glucose metabolism. Results from our study suggest that the CSF-A beta(1 -42) levels may reflect residual brain function and help monitoring progres sion of dementing disorders. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rig hts reserved.