<scp>CSF</scp> A<i>β</i>42/A<i>β</i>40 and A<i>β</i>42/A<i>β</i>38 ratios: better diagnostic markers of Alzheimer disease

Abstract

The CSF Aβ42/Aβ40 and Aβ42/Aβ38 ratios are significantly better than CSF Aβ42 to detect brain amyloid deposition in prodromal AD and to differentiate AD dementia from non-AD dementias. The ratios reflect AD-type pathology better, whereas decline in CSF Aβ42 is also associated with non-AD subcortical pathologies. These findings strongly suggest that the ratios rather than CSF Aβ42 should be used in the clinical work-up of AD.