Cerebrospinal Fluid Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 3 is Related to Dementia Development in a Population-Based Sample of Older Adult Women Followed for 8 Years

Abstract

Background:

Increased fatty acid-binding protein 3 (FABP-3) levels have been reported in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) FABP-3 has therefore been proposed as a putative marker for dementia. Population-based studies examining whether CSF FABP-3 predicts later development of dementia are lacking.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to examine CSF levels of FABP-3 in relation to later development of dementia in elderly women and in relation to Aβ_42, T-tau, P-tau₁₈₁, and CSF: serum albumin ratio.

Methods:

86 non-demented women aged 70–84 years who participated in the Prospective Population Study of Women in Gothenburg, Sweden took part in a lumbar puncture in 1992–93. CSF-FABP-3, Aβ_42, T-tau, P-tau₁₈₁, and the CSF: serum albumin ratio were measured at baseline. Participants were examined with a neuropsychiatric exam at baseline and at follow-up in 2000. Dementia was diagnosed in accordance with DSM-III-R criteria.

Results:

Between 1992 and 2000, 8 women developed dementia (4 AD, 3 vascular dementia, 1 mixed vascular dementia and AD). Higher levels of CSF-FABP-3 at baseline were related to development of dementia (OR 1.36 CI [1.05–1.76] p = 0.022) and the subtype AD (OR 1.38 CI [1.06–1.82), p = 0.019) during follow-up. FABP-3 correlated with CSF T-tau (r = 0.88, p <  0.001), P-tau₁₈₁ (r = 0.619, p <  0.001), and CSF:serum albumin ratio (r = 0.233, p = 0.031), but not with Aβ₄₂ (r = –0.08, p = 0.444)

Conclusion:

CSF FABP-3 may be an early marker for later development of dementia, probably related to neuronal degeneration, but independent of Aβ metabolism.