Association of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Insulin with Cognitive Performance and CSF Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease

Stefan L. C. Geijselaers, Pauline Aalten, Inez H. G. B. Ramakers, Peter Paul De Deyn, Annemieke C. Heijboer, Huiberdina L. Koek, Marcel G. M. OldeRikkert, Janne M. Papma, Fransje E. Reesink, Lieke L. Smits, Coen D. A. Stehouwer, Charlotte E. Teunissen, Frans R. J. Verhey, Wiesje M. van der Flier, Geert Jan Biessels*, Inst Neurodegenerative Dis Study G

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Abnormal insulin signaling in the brain has been linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) insulin levels are associated with cognitive performance and CSF amyloid-β and Tau. Additionally, we explore whether any such association differs by sex or APOE ɛ4 genotype.

METHODS: From 258 individuals participating in the Parelsnoer Institute Neurodegenerative Diseases, a nationwide multicenter memory clinic population, we selected 138 individuals (mean age 66±9 years, 65.2% male) diagnosed with subjective cognitive impairment (n = 45), amnestic mild cognitive impairment (n = 44), or AD (n = 49), who completed a neuropsychological assessment, including tests of global cognition and memory performance, and who underwent lumbar puncture. We measured CSF levels of insulin, amyloid-β1-42, total (t-)Tau, and phosphorylated (p-)Tau.

RESULTS: CSF insulin levels did not differ between the diagnostic groups (p = 0.136). Across the whole study population, CSF insulin was unrelated to cognitive performance and CSF biomarkers of AD, after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, diabetes status, and clinic site (all p≥0.131). Importantly, however, we observed effect modification by sex and APOE ɛ4 genotype. Specifically, among women, higher insulin levels in the CSF were associated with worse global cognition (standardized regression coefficient -0.483; p = 0.008) and higher p-Tau levels (0.353; p = 0.040). Among non-carriers of the APOE ɛ4 allele, higher CSF insulin was associated with higher t-Tau (0.287; p = 0.008) and p-Tau (0.246; p = 0.029).

CONCLUSION: Our findings provide further evidence for a relationship between brain insulin signaling and AD pathology. It also highlights the need to consider sex and APOE ɛ4 genotype when assessing the role of insulin.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)309-320
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Alzheimer's Disease
Volume61
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2018

Keywords

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • cerebrospinal fluid
  • cognition
  • epidemiology
  • insulin
  • IMPAIRED OLDER-ADULTS
  • INTRANASAL INSULIN
  • GLUCOSE-METABOLISM
  • DIFFERENTIAL SENSITIVITY
  • RESISTANCE SYNDROME
  • IMPROVES COGNITION
  • APOE GENOTYPE
  • TAU-PROTEIN
  • MEMORY
  • BRAIN
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • tau Proteins/cerebrospinal fluid
  • Cognition Disorders/diagnosis
  • Apolipoprotein E4/genetics
  • Mental Status Schedule
  • Female
  • Signal Transduction/genetics
  • Insulin/cerebrospinal fluid
  • Peptide Fragments/cerebrospinal fluid
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides/cerebrospinal fluid
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Alzheimer Disease/cerebrospinal fluid
  • Aged
  • Brain/metabolism
  • RISK
  • IMPAIRED INSULIN

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