Screening for beta-amyloid in the CSF is used to investigate Alzheimer's disease and in patients with memory loss.
Beta-amyloid is the major component of plaques and is formed by the amyloid precursor protein (APP). Beta-amyloid levels reflect beta-amyloid metabolism and plaque formation. Low levels are observed in Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia.
- Alzheimer's Disease: Moderate to severe beta-amyloid decrease (sensitivity > 85%)
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD): Normal levels or slightly reduced beta-amyloid concentration
- Frontotemporal dementia: Normal levels or slightly reduced beta-amyloid concentration
- Lewy body dementia: Slight to moderate decrease in beta-amyloid levels
- Vascular dementia: Normal levels or slightly reduced beta-amyloid concentration
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): Normal beta-amyloid levels
Normal aging, mild cognitive impairment without progression to Alzheimer's disease, depression, Parkinson's disease, and non-acute cerebrovascular disease have normal beta-amyloid levels.
See also: Protein 14-3-3, Total Tau Protein
