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P4‐017: Post‐mortem beta‐amyloid plaques correlate with frontal cortical biopsy findings
Author(s) -
Lein Ville,
Koivisto Anne Maria,
Savolainen Sakari,
Rummukainen Jaana,
Sutela Anna,
Vanninen Ritva,
Soininen Hilkka,
Alafuzoff Irina
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2011.05.2036
Subject(s) - autopsy , biopsy , medicine , brain biopsy , pathology , dementia , normal pressure hydrocephalus , disease
Background: Amyloid ß (Aß) aggregate accumulation in the brain is thought to initiate AD pathogenesis and can be detected years before dementia. We analyzed whether Aß in frontal cortical biopsies obtained during evaluation of suspected normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) correlate with later autopsy findings. Methods: Original series included 468 patients with suspected NPH studied by ICP monitoring and right frontal cortical biopsy immunostained for Aß and HPt. Altogether 267 patients had died. Hospital and autopsy records with systematic neuropathological evaluation were available from 10 patients. Results: In the biopsy, Aß aggregates were seen in 3 patients being extensive in two. All three out of 10 cases with Aß aggregates in their biopsy sample displayed Aß in post-mortem samples in an extent fulfilling criteria for phase 4 according to Thal. All remaining 7 patients lacking Aß in biopsy displayed Aß in the postmortem samples but in a lesser extent (Thal 3 or less). The presence or absence of Aß in the biopsy correlated (Spearman’s r 0.815, p 1⁄4 0.004) with Aß phase defined at autopsy (Thal). Conclusions: High correlation between observation of Aß in a brain biopsy and post-mortem samples validates the clinical significance and research use of the surgically obtained frontal cortical biopsy.