Plasma biomarkers of neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation in intracranial atherosclerotic disease - PubMed
3 hours ago
- #cognitive impairment
- #intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis
- #plasma biomarkers
- Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) is a major cause of stroke and contributes to cognitive impairment and dementia.
- Plasma biomarkers (amyloid-β 42/40 ratio, phosphorylated tau at threonine 217, glial fibrillary acidic protein, neurofilament light chain) were studied in 403 ICAS patients and 98 controls.
- Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was elevated in asymptomatic ICAS ≥50%, while GFAP and neurofilament light chain (NfL) were increased in symptomatic ICAS.
- Amyloid-β 42/40 ratio was reduced in symptomatic ICAS ≥50%, but phosphorylated tau at threonine 217 (p-tau217) was unchanged across groups.
- No significant association was found between plasma biomarkers and cognitive impairment in multivariable analyses.
- ICAS severity was independently associated with cognitive impairment in a graded manner, suggesting vascular mechanisms primarily drive cognitive deficits.
- Early identification and aggressive management of ICAS are recommended, even before conventionally 'significant' stenosis or symptoms.