Lessons from neuropathology to inform on fluid biomarkers of amyloid and tau

Abstract

AbstractFluid biomarkers of amyloid and tau, including measures in both cerebrospinal fluid and plasma, have been used extensively in clinical and translational studies of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. These biomarkers are now also increasingly used in clinical practice to inform on diagnosis and prognosis. Despite a successful development of new biomarkers with high diagnostic accuracy for Alzheimer’s disease, the exact relationship between fluid biomarkers and underlying pathological changes in the brain of patients with neurodegenerative diseases have long been unclear.Multimodal studies that integrate state‐of‐the‐art fluid biomarkers with neuropathological measurements are now beginning to inform on the exact relationship between alterations in soluble protein levels and underlying pathological changes. These findings have broad implications for the optimal use of fluid amyloid and tau biomarkers in clinical practice, research, and development of drugs targeting specific neuropathological mechanisms.This talk will highlight recent key findings in this field, discuss remaining challenges, and point out future directions for research.