Neuropsychological profile of Alzheimer’s disease based on amyloid biomarker findings results from a South American cohort

Abstract

Objective

Increased life expectancy and exponential growth of adults suffering from Alzheimer’s disease (AD) worldwide, has led to biomarkers incorporation for diagnosis in early stages. Use of neuropsychological testing remains limited. This study aimed to identify which neuropsychological tests best indicated underlying AD pathophysiology.

Methods

One hundred and forty-one patients with MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) were studied. A neuropsychological test battery based on the Uniform Data Set (UDS) from the Alzheimer’s Disease Centers program of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) was performed and amyloid markers recorded; according to presence or absence of amyloid identified by positive PIB-PET findings, or low CSF Aβ42 levels, patients were separated into MCI amyloid–(n:58) and MCI amyloid + (n = 83) cases.

Results

Statistical differences were found in all memory tests between groups. Delayed recall score at thirty minutes on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) was the best predictor of amyloid pathology presence (AUC 0.68), followed by AVLT total learning (AUC 0.66) and AVLT Recognition (AUC 0.59) scores, providing useful cut off values in the clinical setting.

Conclusions

Use of neuropsychological testing, specifically AVLT scores with cutoff values, contributed to the correct diagnosis of MCI due to AD in this SouthAmerican cohort.

Keywords:

• Ab42
• Alzheimer’s disease
• cognitive biomarkers
• dementia
• mild cognitive impairment
• neuropsychology

Acknowledgements

Authors would like to thank Rachel L. Fazio, Psy.D for her contributions to the manuscript, and the Research and Editing Consulting Program (RECP), of the International Neuropsychological Society International Liaison Committee.