Journal Article Ppublish
PubMed: 40801268 DOI: 10.1002/alz.70530
Association between neuropsychiatric symptoms and neurodegeneration-related plasma biomarkers in older adults with and without clinical dementia in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Alzheimers Dement 21(8):e70530
Authors: Jean Ikanga, Saranya Sundaram Patel, Megan Schwinne, Caterina Obenauf, Guy Gikelekele, Emmanuel Epenge, Nathan Tshengele, Immaculee Kavugho, Samuel Mampunza, Lelo Mananga, Charlotte E Teunissen, Julio C Rojas, Emile Omba Yohe, Alvaro Alonso, Alden L Gross
Affiliations
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Kinshasa and Catholic University of Congo, School of Medicine, Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
- OneRehab, Dallas, Texas, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
- Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA.
- Department of Neurology, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Memory Clinic of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universitiet, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are prevalent in dementia, but most studies focus on Western populations. This study examines the association between NPS and neurodegeneration-related plasma biomarkers in older adults with and without dementia in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
METHODS
Eighty-five individuals (≥65 years) underwent dementia adjudication using the Community Screening Instrument for Dementia (CSID) and Alzheimer's Questionnaire (AQ). Plasma biomarkers (amyloid β [Aβ] 42/40, phosphorylated-tau181 [p-tau181], neurofilament light [NfL], glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), interleukin-1β [IL-1β], tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]) were measured. NPS were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI) (for dementia cases). Logistic regressions examined associations between NPS and biomarkers, adjusting for age, sex, and education.
RESULTS
NPS were common in dementia cases, with irritability (57.8%) and depression (90.7%) most frequent. GFAP was linked to irritability (odds ratio [OR] = 3.34, p = 0.01), and NfL and GFAP were associated with depressive symptoms (OR = 0.76, p = 0.04; OR = 1.98, p = 0.02, respectively).
DISCUSSION
These findings highlight the burden of NPS in the DRC and suggest biomarker-driven mechanisms, emphasizing the need for further research in diverse populations.
HIGHLIGHTS
Identifies neuropsychiatric symptoms as early indicators of Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression. Examines associations between depression and AD biomarkers in preclinical and prodromal stages. Highlights the role of amyloid and tau pathology in depression-related cognitive decline. Discusses implications for early intervention and personalized treatment strategies.
MeSH
Depression, Dementia, Alzheimer Disease, Biomarkers, Signs And Symptoms, Amyloid, Cognition, Plasma