Bourbouli M et al. – This study was conducted to demonstrate if cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) TAR deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)–binding protein 43 (TDP–43) combined with tau proteins can be used as a candidate biomarker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) spectrum disorders. The study concluded that the combined analysis of TDP–43, total tau protein (TT), and tau protein phosphorylated at threonine 181 (TP–181) in CSF can be used for antemortem diagnosis of ALS and FTD.

Methods

• CSF levels of TDP–43, beta–amyloid peptide with 42 amino acids (A?42), TT, and TP–181 were measured in 32 ALS patients, 51 FTD patients, and 17 healthy controls.

Results

• Higher levels of TDP–43 and TT were reported in both ALS and FTD patients compared with the control group.
• A best differentiation between ALS or FTD and controls was achieved with combination of biomarkers in the form of TDP–43 × TT/TP–181, with sensitivities and specificities >0.8.