The kynurenine pathway in Alzheimer’s disease: a meta-analysis of central and peripheral levels

OBJECTIVE: Changes in the kynurenine pathway are recognized in psychiatric disorders, but their role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is less clear. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether tryptophan and kynurenine pathway metabolites are altered in AD. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and random-effects meta-analyses. Inclusion criteria were studies that compared AD and cognitively normal (CN) groups and assessed tryptophan or kynurenine pathway metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid or peripheral blood. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies with a total of 1,356 participants (664 with AD and 692 CN individuals) were included. Tryptophan was decreased only in peripheral blood. The kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio was only increased in peripheral blood of the AD group. 3-Hydroxykynurenine was decreased only in cerebrospinal fluid and showed higher variability in the CN group than the AD group. Kynurenic acid was increased in cerebrospinal fluid and decreased in peripheral blood. Finally, there were no changes in kynurenine and quinolinic acid between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested a shift toward the kynurenine pathway in both the brain and in the periphery, as well as a shift towards increased kynurenic acid production in the brain but decreased production in peripheral blood. In addition, our analysis indicated dissociation between the central and peripheral levels, as well as between plasma and serum for some of these metabolites. Finally, changes in the kynurenine pathway are suggested to be a core component of AD. More studies are warranted to verify and consolidate our results.