Tensor-based morphometry findings corresponding to the novel serum p-tau 217 biomarkers levels in the Alzheimer’s dementia continuum

Background: Blood, CSF, and imaging biomarkers significantly broaden the global scope of AD diagnosis. The initial changes in all the plasma p-tau biomarkers suggest that they primarily reflect Aβ dysmetabolism. So, they would be highly effective in detecting the early phase of AD. Plasma P-tau217 is a highly accurate predictor of cognitive decline and an effective biomarker for early detection of Alzheimer's disease. It reflects tau pathology associated with AD better than other biomarkers. P-tau217 also better differentiates patients with neurodegenerative disorders from those who do not have neurodegenerative disorders, even better than plasma P-tau218. TBM is an imaging technique that identifies regional structural differences in the brain, reflecting tissue loss in the temporal lobe during aging and dementia, and predicts the conversion of MCI to AD. The current study aims to elucidate the relationship between TBM-derived imaging biomarkers and plasma levels of p-tau217 in a cohort of individuals with MCI and AD. Methods: Data was extracted from the ADNI database, which collected data on people undergoing different test procedures. Based on ADNI criteria, participants were classified into three cognitively normal (CN), MCI, and AD groups. Results: A total of 32 participants with MCI revealed a significant negative correlation between plasma Ptau-217 levels and TBMSYNSCOR. P-tau217 was also identified as a significant predictor of TBMSYNSCOR, explaining 30% of its variability and highlighting its potential as a biomarker for structural brain changes in AD. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that higher plasma Ptau-217 levels are associated with lower levels of TBM scores. These two methods are significantly dependent and can complete each other in predicting cognitive function and early AD.