Tau and A beta 42 protein in CSF of patients with frontotemporal degeneration

Abstract

BACKGROUND: CSF concentrations of tau and beta-amyloid protein-42 (Abeta42) have been extensively studied in AD. Few data are available concerning CSF levels of both proteins in patients with frontotemporal degeneration (FTD). METHODS: The authors investigated CSF tau and Abeta42 concentrations in 34 patients with FTD, 74 patients with AD, and 40 cognitively healthy control subjects. CSF levels of tau and Abeta42 were measured by ELISA. With use of receiver operating characteristic-derived cutoff points and linear discrimination lines, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of both markers were determined. RESULTS: CSF tau concentrations were significantly higher in FTD than in control s..