Reduced plasma desmosterol‐to‐cholesterol ratio and longitudinal cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Abstract Background We here examined whether plasma desmosterol‐to‐cholesterol ratio (DES/CHO) is decreased in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and investigated the association between plasma DES/CHO and longitudinal cognitive decline. Methods Plasma DES/CHO of AD patients and age‐matched controls in a Japanese cross‐sectional cohort was determined. Plasma DES/CHO at baseline and follow‐up visits was assessed in relation to cognitive decline in Japanese and Swedish longitudinal cohorts. Results Plasma DES/CHO was significantly reduced in Japanese AD patients and significantly correlated with Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) score. The longitudinal analysis revealed that plasma DES/CHO in AD patients shows a significant decrease at follow‐up intervals. The decline in plasma DES/CHO is larger in the AD group with rapid progression than in that with slow progression. The changes in plasma DES/CHO significantly correlated with changes in the MMSE score. Conclusion Plasma DES/CHO is decreased in AD patients and may serve as a longitudinal surrogate marker associated with cognitive decline.

Keywords

• Alzheimer's disease
• Mild cognitive impairment
• Blood‐based biomarker
• Desmosterol
• Longitudinal biomarker