Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarker Profile in TDP-43-Related Genetic Frontotemporal Dementia

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, namely total tau, phospho-tau and amyloid beta peptides, have received much attention specifically regarding Alzheimer’s disease (AD), since they can detect the biochemical fingerprint of AD and serve as a diagnostic tool for accurate and early diagnosis during life. In the same way, biomarkers for other neurodegenerative disease pathologies are also needed. We present a case series of six patients with genetic frontotemporal dementia (FTD), with TDP-43 underlying proteinopathy, in an attempt to assess TDP-43 as a novel biomarker alone and in combination with established AD biomarkers for this specific patient group, based on the principles of personalized and precision medicine. Our results indicate that genetic TDP-43-FTD is characterized by increased CSF TPD-43 and increased TDP-43 × τ(Τ)/τ(P-181) combination. Hence, TDP-43 combined with tau proteins could be a useful tool for the diagnosis of genetic FTD with TDP-43 underling histopathology, supplementing clinical, neuropsychological and imaging data.