Plasma p-tau217 and p-tau181 in middle-aged adults with mild cognitive impairment: The role of multimorbidity in an age-matched brief report

Abstract

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an early stage of Alzheimer's disease–related neurodegeneration and may occur in midlife. The objective of the study was to assess associations between plasma p-tau217, p-tau181, cognition, and multimorbidity. We studied 236 MCI patients and 210 controls. Cognition was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Multimorbidity was defined as ≥2 chronic conditions, and comorbidity as coexisting diseases. MCI was associated with lower cognition, higher p-tau levels, and greater multimorbidity. Plasma p-tau217 correlated inversely with cognition. Plasma p-tau reflects early neurodegeneration, with multimorbidity contributing to cognitive decline.