Longitudinal effects of intravenous immunoglobulin on A lzheimer's cerebrospinal fluid proteome

Intravenous immunoglobulin ( IVI g) therapy has shown promise in the treatment of A lzheimer's disease ( AD ). In this study, serial cerebrospinal fluid ( CSF ) samples from a group of subjects with AD undergoing IVI g immunotherapy are analyzed to identify IVI g‐related changes. CSF samples from eight subjects were collected before therapy, after 6 months of therapy, and after a 3‐month drug washout period. Samples were analyzed using a gel‐based proteomics strategy and IVI g‐related changes were determined by gel spot percent volumes. An initial assessment of the data revealed consistent and considerable change in 69 spots. A statistical analysis revealed 79 protein spots with a significant change after 6 months; furthermore, in a subset of these (25), the percent volume change was either maintained or reversed in the washout samples. The proteins that showed a significant change during IVI g therapy, including I g molecules, gelsolin, transferrin, and transthyretin, have been previously implicated in AD . This study provides preliminary findings regarding a group of CSF proteins that may be associated with the treatment of AD , as well as the potential use of IVI g as an AD immunotherapy.