A blood-based algorithm for the detection of Alzheimer's disease

Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2011;32(1):55-62. doi: 10.1159/000330750. Epub 2011 Aug 24.

Abstract

Background: We previously created a serum-based algorithm that yielded excellent diagnostic accuracy in Alzheimer's disease. The current project was designed to refine that algorithm by reducing the number of serum proteins and by including clinical labs. The link between the biomarker risk score and neuropsychological performance was also examined.

Methods: Serum-protein multiplex biomarker data from 197 patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and 203 cognitively normal controls from the Texas Alzheimer's Research Consortium were analyzed. The 30 markers identified as the most important from our initial analyses and clinical labs were utilized to create the algorithm.

Results: The 30-protein risk score yielded a sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of 0.88, 0.82, and 0.91, respectively. When combined with demographic data and clinical labs, the algorithm yielded a sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of 0.89, 0.85, and 0.94, respectively. In linear regression models, the biomarker risk score was most strongly related to neuropsychological tests of language and memory.

Conclusions: Our previously published diagnostic algorithm can be restricted to only 30 serum proteins and still retain excellent diagnostic accuracy. Additionally, the revised biomarker risk score is significantly related to neuropsychological test performance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Algorithms
  • Alzheimer Disease / blood*
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnosis*
  • Apolipoprotein E4 / genetics
  • Area Under Curve
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • Hispanic or Latino
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / blood
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • ROC Curve
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • White People

Substances

  • Apolipoprotein E4
  • Biomarkers
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins