Wheat germ agglutinin-binding glycoproteins are decreased in Alzheimer's disease cerebrospinal fluid

A number of biomarkers (e.g. A beta tau) has been identified in Alzheimer's disease CSF. However, none fulfils the criteria of sensitivity and specifi city (> 80%) needed for the development of an accurate diagnostic test. The lack of a suitable marker has prompted the search for new CSF biomarkers. In this study, the glycosylation of CSF proteins was examined using lectin blotting. Lumbar CSF was collected ante mortem from 22 non-Alzheimer's dise ase and 12 probable Alzheimer's disease cases and ventricular CSF collected post mortem from 7 non-Alzheimer's disease and 16 Alzheimer's disease case s confirmed by pathologic examination. When CSF glycoproteins were stained with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), the staining intensity was found to be si gnificantly lower in the Alzheimer's disease group. No difference in staini ng was found using other lectins (Canavalia ensiformis agglutinin, Ricinus communis agglutinin, Lens culinaris agglutinin). The measurement of WGA-rea ctive glycoproteins in CSF may be a useful biomarker for diagnosis of Alzhe imer's disease.