手足口病合并脑炎患儿外周血T淋巴细胞亚群、血清VCAM-1及CRP的表达水平及其检测价值分析

摘要 目的：探讨与分析手足口病（HFMD）合并脑炎患儿外周血T淋巴细胞亚群、血清VCAM-1及CRP的表达水平及其检测价值。方法：2017年4月到2020年10月选择在本院诊治的手足口病合并脑炎患儿42例作为合并组,同期选择手足口病不合并脑炎患儿68例作为对照组,检测两组外周血T淋巴细胞亚群、血清血管细胞粘附分子-1（VCAM-）及C-反应蛋白（CRP）表达水平,并判断检测价值与进行相关性分析。结果：合并组的CD4⁺、CD8⁺T淋巴细胞相对比例都明显少于对照组（P<0.05）。合并组的血清VCAM-1及CRP含量明显高于对照组（P<0.05）。在80例患儿中,Spearsman分析显示CD4⁺、CD8⁺T淋巴细胞相对比例和血清VCAM-1、CRP含量都与手足口病合并脑炎的发生存在相关性（P<0.05）。二分类Logistic回归分析显示CD4⁺、CD8⁺T淋巴细胞相对比例和血清VCAM-1、CRP含量都为导致手足口病合并脑炎发生的重要因素（P<0.05）。结论：手足口病合并脑炎患儿多伴随有外周血T淋巴细胞亚群异常与血清VCAM-1、CRP的高表达,CD4⁺、CD8⁺T淋巴细胞相对比例、血清VCAM-1、CRP含量都为导致手足口病合并脑炎发生的重要因素。     

α-硫辛酸对2型糖尿病血管病变患者血清CRP，IL-6，VEGF，VCAM-1水平的影响

目的:研究α-硫辛酸治疗2型糖尿病血管病变的临床疗效及其对血清C反应蛋白(CRP)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)、血管细胞黏附因子(VCAM-1)水平的影响。方法:选取2015年8月至2016年7月本院收治的82例2型糖尿病血管病变患者,根据随机数字法分为观察组和对照组,41例每组。对照组使用甲钴胺治疗,观察组使用α-硫辛酸治疗。评价两组患者的临床疗效,比较两组患者治疗前后血清CRP、IL-6、VEGF、VCAM-1及血脂水平的变化。结果:治疗后,观察组总有效率显著高于对照组[92.68%(38/41)比60.98%(25/41)](P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者血清CRP、IL-6、VEGF、VCAM-1、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、三酰甘油(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)水平较治疗前显著降低(P0.05),血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)水平较治疗前明显升高(P0.05)。与对照组相比,观察组治疗后血清CRP、IL-6、VEGF、VCAM-1、LDL-C、TG、TC水平更低(P0.05),HDL-C水平较高(P0.05)。结论:α-硫辛酸治疗能明显降低2型糖尿病血管病变患者血清CRP、IL-6、VEGF、VCAM-1水平,且临床疗效较好。     

脑脊液PCT、VEGF、S-100B、NSE、MMP及CGRP水平在病毒性脑膜炎患儿中的临床研究

目的:探讨脑脊液降钙素原(PCT)、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)、S100B蛋白(S-100B)、神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)、基质金属蛋白酶(MMP)及降钙素基因相关肽(CGRP)水平联合检测在病毒性脑炎患儿中的诊断价值和意义。方法:选取2012年6月至2014年6月收治的病毒性脑炎患儿106例作为研究组,选取同时期来我院进行健康体检的60例儿童作为对照组,比较两组脑脊液PCT、VEGF、S-100B、NSE、MMP及CGRP水平,并分析研究组依照不同层次分组后以上各指标的差异。结果:研究组脑脊液中PCT、VEGF、S-100B、NSE、MMP及CGRP水平明显高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);研究组重症患儿高于轻症患者,急性期患者高于非急性期患儿,差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。以上各指标中任意二种、三种、四种及五种联合检测,其诊断效能均在0.923-0.967之间,六种指标联合检测的效能最高为0.975。结论:病毒性脑膜炎患儿血清及脑脊液PCT、VEGF、S-100B、NSE、MMP及CGRP水平均呈现升高的趋势,且不同严重程度及分期患儿的以上指标均有一定的差异,六种指标联合检测诊断病毒性脑炎患儿的效能最高。     

脑脊液检查在早产儿及足月儿细菌性脑膜炎的诊断价值

目的:评价脑脊液检查在早产儿及足月儿细菌性脑膜炎诊断中的价值。方法:选取2014年6月1日至2016年12月31日上海市儿童医院新生儿科收治的行腰椎穿刺检查的447例新生儿,回顾性分析新生儿的一般资料、脑脊液常规生化、培养等指标,根据胎龄将患儿分为早产儿167例与足月儿280例,再根据有无患发细菌性脑膜炎分为早产儿细菌性脑膜炎27例(早产儿观察组)、早产儿非细菌性脑膜炎140例(早产儿对照组)、足月儿细菌性脑膜炎38例(足月儿观察组)、足月儿非细菌性脑膜炎242例(足月儿对照组),采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线评估蛋白定量、白细胞计数、葡萄糖对早产儿及足月儿细菌性脑膜炎的诊断价值。结果:与同组对照组相比,足月儿观察组和早产儿观察组蛋白定量和白细胞计数均明显升高,而葡萄糖含量显著下降,且差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05);本研究65例细菌性脑膜炎患儿脑脊液培养分离出11株细菌(16.9%)。足月儿脑脊液白细胞计数、蛋白定量以及葡萄糖诊断细菌性脑膜炎的ROC曲线下面积分别为0.995、0.846、0.703。早产儿脑脊液白细胞计数、蛋白定量以及葡萄糖诊断细菌性脑膜炎ROC曲线下面积分别为0.970、0.711、0.705。结论:脑脊液白细胞计数、蛋白定量在足月儿和早产儿细菌性脑膜炎中具有较高的诊断价值。     

血清神经功能指标及心肌酶谱在病毒性脑炎患儿中的变化研究

目的观察血清神经功能指标及心肌酶谱在病毒性脑炎患儿中的变化,分析其在病情判断中的意义。方法 2014年1月~2015年10月在我院就诊的病毒性脑炎患儿123例,根据临床病情的轻重分为轻症病脑组(n=87)和重症病脑组(n=36),并选取同时期健康儿童30例作为对照组,比较各组间血清神经功能指标及心肌酶谱水平差异。结果病毒性脑炎患儿血清神经功能相关指标S100B、NSE、MBP、NGF水平和心肌酶谱相关指标CK、CK-MB、AST、LDH水平显著高于对照组(均P0.05),而且重症病脑组患儿血清中神经功能相关指标S100B、NSE、MBP、NGF水平和血清心肌酶谱相关指标CK、CK-MB、AST、LDH水平均显著高于轻症病脑组(均P0.05)。经治疗后,患儿各指标水平均有下降,入院后第1、2周S100B、NSE、MBP、NGF水平均显著低于治疗前(均P0.05)。结论在病毒性脑炎的诊疗中,神经功能指标和心肌酶活性均能用作判断疾病严重程度及转归的重要指标。     

中枢神经系统感染患儿血清、脑脊液MMP-9和IL-1β水平变化分析

探讨中枢神经系统感染患儿血清、脑脊液中基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)的水平变化及其临床意义。选取2015年1月至2016年4月本院收治的36例化脓性脑膜炎患儿(化脑组)、27例病毒性脑炎患儿(病脑组)、30例非神经系统感染儿童(对照组)。采用ELISA方法检测3组血清、脑脊液中MMP-9、IL-1β的水平,采用电化学发光全自动免疫分析仪分析血清白蛋白和脑脊液白蛋白含量,并计算白蛋白指数。研究显示,化脑组、病脑组患儿脑脊液中MMP-9、IL-1β水平显著的高于对照组(p0.01);化脑组患儿脑脊液中MMP-9、IL-1β水平显著的高于病脑组(p0.01);化脑组、病脑组患儿脑血清中MMP-9、IL-1β水平显著的高于对照组(p0.01);化脑组患儿血清中MMP-9水平显著的高于病脑组(p0.01);化脑组患儿脑脊液中MMP-9、IL-1β、血清中MMP-9、IL-1β与患儿白蛋白指数均呈显著正相关(r=0.427,r=0.463,r=0.398,r=0.411,p0.05);病脑组患儿脑脊液中MMP-9、IL-1β、血清中MMP-9、IL-1β与患儿白蛋白指数均呈显著的正相关(r=0.416,r=0.448,r=0.372,r=0.403,p0.05)。中枢神经系统感染患儿血清、脑脊液中MMP-9、IL-1β的水平变化与患儿血脑屏障功能损害有关。     

手足口病脑炎患儿脑脊液中细胞因子水平的比较

目的探讨不同病原体(CV-A6、CV-A16、EV-A71)所致手足口病脑炎患儿脑脊液中IL-6、IL-10、TNF-α、IFN-γ水平及意义。方法采用随机抽样的方法选取2018年3—5月在医院感染科收治的HFMD患儿,其中EV-A71组90例,CV-A6组77例,CV-A16组65例,选择同期高热惊厥患儿20例作为对照(高热惊厥组)。患儿入院后1～2 d行腰椎穿刺术,收集脑脊液2 mL,用流式细胞检测术分别检测细胞因子IL-6、IL-10、TNF-α、IFN-γ水平。结果 EV-A71组、CV-A6组、CV-A16组IL-6水平均明显高于高热惊厥组(t分别为6.224、7.579、6.667,P!0.05),且组间差异有统计学意义(F=18.631,P<0.05)。EV-A71组、CV-A6组、CV-A16组IL-10水平均高于高热惊厥组,差异具有统计学意义(t分别为5.387、3.227、3.084,P!0.05),且组间差异有统计学意义(F=17.480,P<0.05)。EV-A71组、CV-A6组、CV-A16组TNF-α水平与高热惊厥组差异均无统计学意义(t=-1.071、1.498、0.400,P>0.05),组间差异有统计学意义(F=6.069,P<0.05)。EV-A71组、CV-A6组、CV-A16组IFN-γ水平均高于高热惊厥组,差异具有统计学意义(t分别为4.718、7.303、8.919,P!0.05),且组间差异有统计学意义(F=16.566,P<0.05)。结论 EV-A71、CV-A6、CV-A16所致重症HFMD患儿脑脊液中IL-6、IL-10、IFN-γ均升高,表明在这3种不同病原体所致HFMD患儿脑炎中,IL-6、IL-10、IFN-γ均起到重要作用。其中,IL-6、IFN-γ明显升高,可作为疾病严重程度的评价指标。     

脑脊液乳酸和血清降钙素原及C反应蛋白 对小儿细菌性脑膜炎的诊断价值

目的探讨脑脊液乳酸、血清降钙素原及C反应蛋白对小儿细菌性脑膜炎的诊断价值。方法选取我院2016年4月至2017年6月收治的50例细菌性脑膜炎患儿以及50例病毒性脑膜炎患儿进行作为研究对象,比较2类患儿脑脊液乳酸(LA)、血清降钙素原(PCT)及C反应蛋白(CRP)的水平,并分析其诊断价值。结果细菌性脑膜炎组患儿脑脊液LA、血清PCT及CRP水平显著高于病毒性脑膜炎患儿(均P0.05)。血清PCT诊断的灵敏度和特异度最高(96.4%、90.9%,P0.05)。3项指标联合检测的灵敏度(100.0%)和特异度(95.5%)明显高于任一单项指标(均P0.05)。经过Pearson相关性分析,脑脊液LA、血清PCT及CRP与小儿细菌性脑膜炎均呈显著正相关关系(均P0.05)。结论脑脊液乳酸、血清PCT及CRP对小儿细菌性脑膜炎的诊断和治疗效果监测有重要应用价值。     

参芪扶正注射液联合地西他滨对急性髓系白血病患者血清HGF、VEGF与LDH水平的影响

目的:探讨参芪扶正注射液联合地西他滨对急性髓系白血病患者血清肝细胞生长因子(HGF)、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)与乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)水平的影响。方法:选择2014年8月至2016年8月我院接诊的84例急性髓系白血病患者,通过随机数表法分为观察组(n=42)和对照组(n=42)。对照组给予地西他滨+DA化疗方案(柔红霉素+阿糖胞苷),观察组联合参芪扶正注射液,两组均以21d为1个周期,连续治疗2个周期。比较两组治疗前后血常规、血清HGF、VEGF和LDH水平的变化、临床疗效及不良反应的发生情况。结果:治疗后,两组血常规、血清HGF、VEGF和LDH水平均较治疗前显著改善(P0.05);观察组白细胞计数(WBC)明显低于对照组,血红蛋白(HGB)、血小板计数(PLT)、中性粒细胞计数(NEU)水平明显高于对照组(P0.05);观察组临床疗效总缓解率明显高于对照组(P0.05);观察组恶心呕吐、感染、多汗、出血、心脏毒性发生率均明显低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:应用参芪扶正注射液联合地西他滨治疗急性髓系白血病患者的临床效果显著,有助于降低毒副反应,其内在机制可能和降低血清HGF、VEGF、LDH的水平相关。     

胰岛素局部应用对糖尿病足患者血清炎性因子、VEGF、氧化应激和创面组织β-catenin表达的影响

目的:研究胰岛素局部应用对糖尿病足(DF)患者血清炎性因子、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)、氧化应激和创面组织β-catenin表达的影响,旨在为临床DF患者的治疗提供理论依据。方法:将2017年4月至2019年12月于我院接受诊治的90例DF患者纳入研究,按照随机信封法将其分成观察组及对照组各45例。对照组实施负压吸引(NPWT)治疗,观察组则于NPWT治疗的基础上增用胰岛素治疗。比较两组治疗前后创面面积、炎性因子、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)水平、氧化应激和创面组织β-catenin表达变化情况。结果:治疗后观察组及对照组创面面积均少于治疗前,且观察组少于对照组(均P0.05)。治疗后观察组及对照组血清白细胞介素-1(IL-1)及肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)均低于治疗前,而VEGF水平高于治疗前(均P0.05);治疗后观察组血清IL-1及TNF-α均低于对照组,而VEGF水平高于对照组(均P0.05)。治疗后观察组及对照组丙二醛(MDA)水平低于治疗前,而超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)水平高于治疗前(均P0.05);治疗后观察组MDA水平低于对照组,而SOD水平高于对照组(均P0.05)。治疗后观察组及对照组创面组织β-catenin表达水平均高于治疗前,且观察组高于对照组(均P0.05)。结论:胰岛素局部应用可促进DF患者的创面愈合,同时有利于下调血清炎性因子水平,减轻氧化应激反应,其主要作用机制可能与上调创面组织VEGF、β-catenin表达有关。     

Cerebrospinal Fluid Glucose: Turnover and Metabolism

The turnover of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose was studied in cats during steady-state perfusion. In all experiments, the perfusion fluid contained either tracer [¹⁴C]glucose alone or tracer glucose along with 4.45 mM unlabeled glucose. In some studies, serum glucose was lowered with insulin. The concentration of glucose and [¹⁴C]glucose in the effluent fluid was measured, and the distribution of ¹⁴C between glucose and lactate was determined by chromatography. From these values, the extraction of glucose and the metabolism of glucose to lactate were calculated. From the decrease in the specific activity of glucose in the perfusion fluid, the influx of glucose from serum was also determined. During steadystate perfusion, 71% of the radioactivity was recovered in the effluent fluid: 50% in the form of glucose, 6% in the form of lactate, and 15% in forms that were not identified. Thus, 50% of the perfusion fluid glucose was cleared, of which 29% was extracted and 21% metabolized. The influx of glucose was proportional to the serum glucose when the latter was about 2.5 mM or 10.0 mM. During perfusion with tracer glucose only, the concentration of glucose in the effluent fluid was 25% that of serum. The transport of glucose from serum was independent of the glucose concentration gradient between serum and perfusion fluid. However, when perfusion fluid glucose concentration was greater than that of serum, transport was inhibited. These studies suggest that in maintaining CSF glucose at a lower concentration than serum glucose, with equal amounts of glucose entering and leaving the CSF, 50% of CSF glucose concentration cleared is replaced by 25% of serum glucose concentration.     

Free-GABA levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients suffering from several neurological diseases Its potential use for the diagnosis of diseases which course with inflammation and tissular necrosis

Summary Free GABA levels were measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 74 neurological patients suffering from cerebral cysticercosis (n = 9), Parkinson's disease (n = 5), multiple sclerosis (n = 6), epilepsy (n = 24), meningeal tuberculosis (n = 6), viral encephalitis (n = 3), cerebrovascular disease (n = 8) and several kinds of dystonia (n = 5). A statistical significant four-fold elevation in free GABA levels was found in patients with cerebral cysticercosis. A non statistical significant two-fold increase in free GABA levels was also encountered in the CSF of patients affected by cerebrovascular disease and viral encephalitis. No changes in CSF free GABA levels were found in patients suffering from any of the other disorders. It is suggested that free GABA levels may be elevated in the CSF of patients suffering from neurological diseases which course with inflammation and tissular necrosis such as cerebral cysticercosis. Much work is needed however to establishd whether CSF free GABA levels can be used as a diagnostic tool in at least some type of these patients.     

Conditional deletion of the colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (c-fms proto-oncogene) in mice

Colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) is the primary regulator of the mononuclear phagocytic lineage acting through its transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor, CSF-1R, that is the product of the c-fms proto-oncogene. Null mutations in either the ligand or the receptor genes result in a severe osteopetrosis as well as a number of other phenotypes, including reproductive defects and perturbations in organ development. The CSF-1R is also expressed in oocytes, myoblast progenitors, decidual, and trophoblastic cells. To distinguish cell type specific phenotypes, we have created a conditional allele of the Csf1r by placing LoxP sites around Exon 5 of the Csf1r gene in mice. Excision of this floxed sequence results in a null allele that in the homozygous state gives a phenotype indistinguishable of the complete Csf1r null mutant mouse. This conditional allele will prove extremely valuable to study the spatial and temporal roles of CSF-1R.     

Human CSF GABA Concentrations: Revised Dowd for Controls, but Not Decreased in Huntington''s Chorea

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentrations were measured in CSF specimens from two large groups of control subjects, one without neurological or psychiatric disease, and one with a variety of neurological disorders not known to involve altered GABAergic function in brain. CSF GABA was also measured in patients with Huntington's chorea and in patients with other choreiform disorders. GABA was measured in CSF by a modification of the ion exchange-fluorometric method that featured use of a relatively large cation exchange column, and a markedly decreased quantity of sulfosalicylic acid for deproteinization of CSF. Mean BABA concentrations in CSF were 87 and 77 nmol/liter for neurologically normal and abnormal control subjects, 82 nmol/liter for the Huntington's chorea patients, and 105 nmol/liter for patients with other forms of chorea. The mean concentration of homocarnosine was not reduced in CSF of Huntington's chorea patients as compared with controls. Mean CSF GABA concentrations found in control subjects were less than half the lowest control means previously reported. These low values are attributable in part to a reduction in on-column hydrolysis of conjugated forms of GABA in CSF, which can be produced by excessive sulfosalicylic acid, and in part to improved chromatographic resolution of GABA from other unknown o-phthalaldehyde-reactive compounds in CSF. Analysis of free GABA in CSF does not appear useful for diagnosis of suspected Huntington's chorea, nor as a possible predictive test for persons genetically at risk for Huntington's chorea.     

Protective immunity against Bordetella pertussis by a recombinant DNA vaccine and the effect of coinjection with a granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor gene

A recombinant pertussis DNA vaccine was described here with its immunogenicity and the ability to induce protection against B. pertussis infection in mice. Three immunodominant antigen gene fragments of pertussis, pertussis toxin subunit 1 (pts1), fragments of pertactin (prn) and filamentous hemagglutinin (fha), were recombined as fragment pts1-prn-fha named ppf, and it was cloned to plasmid pVAX1 as pVAX1/ppf. Compared to those injected with pVAX1, the mice injected with pVAX1/ppf significantly elicited more antigen specific antibody anti-PTS1, anti-PRN, anti-FHA and cytokine IL-10, IFN-gamma. When pGM-CSF was coinjected with pVAX1/ppf, the mice showed significantly increases of the three antibodies and cytokine IL-10, IL-4, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha compared to those injected with pVAX1 only. The mice in group pVAX1/ppf & pGM-CSF, in particular; induced much more anti-PTS1, IL-4 and TNF-alpha than those in group pVAX1/ppf. In the intracerebral mouse protection test, the mice immunized with pVAX1/ppf or pVAX1/ppf & pGM-CSF induced protection to a lethal dose of B. pertussis. The results indicate that recombinant DNA vaccine and pGM-CSF coinjection can induce protective immunity against B. pertussis, demonstrating a valuable method to prevent pertussis.     

大肠杆菌表达的重组人粒细胞-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(rhGM-CSF)的纯化

对重组人粒细胞－巨噬细胞集落刺激因子（ｒｈＧＭ－ＣＳＦ）的工程菌表达产物进行纯化,经过超声破碎,包涵体抽提,凝胶层析,复性,离子交换一系列纯化步骤,终产物纯度达９８％,比活性达１０００００００ｕ／ｍｇ。     

Concentrations of GABA and Other Amino Acids in CSF from Torsion Dystonia Patients

Abstract: Free amino acid concentrations were measured by conventional amino acid analysis, and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentrations were determined, by an ion-exchange fluorometric technique, in CSF specimens from 16 patients with torsion dystonias and in CSF from a large number of control subjects. The mean CSF GABA concentration of the dystonia patients (97 ± 11 nmol/L) did not differ significantly from the means for CSF GABA in two groups of adult control subjects. Mean concentrations of all commonly determined amino compounds were normal in the CSF of torsion dystonia patients, except for ornithine, which was modestly but significantly reduced.     

Artifactual Increases in the Concentration of Free GABA in Samples of Human Cerebrospinal Fluid Are Due to Degradation of Homocarnosine

Abstract: Samples of untreated human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were kept at room temperature (20±1°C) up to 72 h, and changes in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and homocarnosine contents were measured. The concentration of free GABA increased with time, and concomitantly a similar decrease occurred in the concentration of homocarnosine. Total GABA after hydrolysis (present in human CSF at concentrations 40–100 times that of free GABA) did not change. After 2 h the increase in CSF GABA for seven subjects ranged from 42 to 244 pmol/ml. The rate of increase in CSF GABA was positively correlated with the initial homocarnosine concentration. Approximately 5% per h of the initial homocarnosine content was degraded during the first 7 h at room temperature; thereafter the rate gradually decreased. No free GABA was formed in CSF frozen at −70°C for 10 days. When this CSF was restored to room temperature, the formation of free GABA from homocarnosine occurred at essentially the same rate as that observed in fresh CSF. These results demonstrate that the well-known artifactual increase in GABA concentration of untreated human CSF depends on the concentration of homocarnosine. The rapidity of this increase (up to 2 pmollmlimin) could account for disparities among CSF free GABA concentrations previously reported from normal subjects. It is suggested that measurement of concentrations of total GABA in the CSF would provide a better index of human brain GABA concentration than determination of CSF free GABA.     

VIP in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis

The concentration of VIP was measured radioimmunochemically in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 14 healthy volunteers and from 22 patients with multiple sclerosis. Significantly lower levels of VIP was obtained in the patients (18 +/- 3 pmol/l) than in controls (37 +/- 4 pmol/l). There was no correlation between the level of VIP in CSF and other CSF parameters such as albumin. IgG or cell content; nor between VIP concentration and the physical handicap or neuropsychiatric symptoms. There was a trend towards lower values of VIP in patients with steadily progressing rather than intermittent course of the disease but the difference between the groups was not significant.     

CSF prion protein concentration and cognition in patients with Alzheimer disease

Background/Objective: PrP^c has been suggested to play a role in AD pathophysiology. CSF concentrations of PrP^c have been shown to be reduced in AD compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, serum levels of PrP^c have recently been reported to be associated with the cognitive status of healthy elderly subjects. Therefore, we hypothesized that CSF levels of PrP^c could be associated with cognitive function of AD patients at the time of diagnosis.

Methods: AD patients (n = 114) included into an observational study underwent CERAD testing and lumbar puncture at time of diagnosis / study inclusion. CSF PrP^c was determined. Generalized linear models were fitted to assess the associations of PrP^c plus a variety of possible confounding factors and CERAD subscale measures.

Results: No association of CSF PrP^c and cognitive status could be established, while other factors (i.e., use of antipsychotic drugs, use of anti-dementia drugs, female sex, pre-progression time) were related to worse cognitive function in some domains.

Conclusion: CSF PrP^c appears not to be a useful biochemical surrogate of cognitive status in AD at the time of diagnosis. Follow-up analyses will examine possible associations with the speed of cognitive decline.