PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Stenset, V.
AU  - Johnsen, L.
AU  - Kocot, D.
AU  - Negaard, A.
AU  - Skinningsrud, A.
AU  - Gulbrandsen, P.
AU  - Wallin, A.
AU  - Fladby, T.
TI  - Associations between white matter lesions, cerebrovascular risk factors, and low CSF Aβ42
AID  - 10.1212/01.wnl.0000234030.77831.5a
DP  - 2006 Sep 12
TA  - Neurology
PG  - 830--833
VI  - 67
IP  - 5
4099  - http://n.neurology.org/content/67/5/830.short
4100  - http://n.neurology.org/content/67/5/830.full
SO  - Neurology2006 Sep 12; 67
AB  - Objective: To analyze a putative relationship between white matter lesions (WMLs), risk factors for WMLs, and Alzheimer disease (AD) as measured with the surrogate marker CSF Aβ42. Methods: The authors analyzed effects of acquired risk factors for cerebrovascular disease and WMLs on AD as measured with an intermediate marker, CSF Aβ42. A total of 127 consecutive patients with subjective memory impairment (mean age 66 years; 57 women) investigated at a university-based memory clinic had brain MRI scans. WMLs were rated on a 12-point scale with a semiquantitative procedure. They used path analysis with established and possible risk factors for WMLs and for reduced CSF Aβ42 (age, hypertension, hyperhomocysteinemia, hypercholesterolemia, APOE-ε4) as variables. Results: The WML score was 1.5 points higher (p < 0.05) in hypertensive than in nonhypertensive patients and 1.9 points higher (p < 0.05) in patients with hyperhomocysteinemia than in those with normal homocysteine levels. Hypercholesterolemia increased the probability of low CSF Aβ42 levels by 0.2 (p < 0.05). For each point increase in WML score, the probability of low CSF Aβ42 levels increased by 0.03 (p < 0.05). APOE-ε4 was associated with reduced CSF Aβ42 (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Both hypercholesterolemia and white matter lesions may contribute to low CSF Aβ42 by independent mechanisms.