Alzheimer's disease and late-onset epilepsy of unknown origin: two faces of beta amyloid pathology

• Published in: Neurobiology of aging 2019-01, Vol.73, p.61-67
• Main Authors: Costa, Cinzia, Romoli, Michele, Liguori, Claudio, Farotti, Lucia, Eusebi, Paolo, Bedetti, Chiara, Siliquini, Sabrina, Cesarini, Elena Nardi, Romigi, Andrea, Mercuri, Nicola B., Parnetti, Lucilla, Calabresi, Paolo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alzheimer Disease - diagnosis; Alzheimer Disease - etiology; Alzheimer's disease; Amyloid beta-Peptides - cerebrospinal fluid; Beta amyloid; Biomarkers - cerebrospinal fluid; Cognitive Dysfunction - cerebrospinal fluid; Cognitive Dysfunction - etiology; CSF biomarkers; Dementia; Disease Progression; Epilepsy; Epilepsy - cerebrospinal fluid; Epilepsy - complications; Epilepsy - diagnosis; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Late Onset Disorders - cerebrospinal fluid; Late Onset Disorders - complications; Late Onset Disorders - diagnosis; Male; Middle Aged; Peptide Fragments - cerebrospinal fluid; Prospective Studies; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0197-4580; 1558-1497
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.09.006

Although amyloid pathology plays a role in epilepsy, little is known about the relationship between beta amyloid and progression to Alzheimer's disease (AD) among patients with late-onset epilepsy of unknown origin (LOEU). This multicenter, observational, prospective study enrolled 40 consecutive nondemented adults diagnosed with LOEU, together with 43 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. All patients completed neuropsychological tests, core CSF AD biomarkers assessment (Aβ1-42, total tau, and phosphorylated tau), and follow-up for a mean of 3 years to verify cognitive decline. Despite age and baseline cognitive performance were similar to healthy controls, patients with LOEU had significant prevalence of CSF pathological Aβ1-42 (