Predicting continuous amyloid PET values with CSF and plasma Aβ42/Aβ40

INTRODUCTION: Continuous measures of amyloid burden as measured by positron emission tomography (PET) are being used increasingly to stage Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study examined whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma amyloid beta (Aβ)42/Aβ40 could predict continuous values for amyloid PET. METHODS: CSF Aβ42 and Aβ40 were measured with automated immunoassays. Plasma Aβ42 and Aβ40 were measured with an immunoprecipitation–mass spectrometry assay. Amyloid PET was performed with Pittsburgh compound B (PiB). The continuous relationships of CSF and plasma Aβ42/Aβ40 with amyloid PET burden were modeled. RESULTS: Most participants were cognitively normal (427 of 491 [87%]) and the mean age was 69.0 ± 8.8 years. CSF Aβ42/Aβ40 predicted amyloid PET burden until a relatively high level of amyloid accumulation (69.8 Centiloids), whereas plasma Aβ42/Aβ40 predicted amyloid PET burden until a lower level (33.4 Centiloids). DISCUSSION: CSF Aβ42/Aβ40 predicts the continuous level of amyloid plaque burden over a wider range than plasma Aβ42/Aβ40 and may be useful in AD staging. HIGHLIGHTS: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid beta (Aβ)42/Aβ40 predicts continuous amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) values up to a relatively high burden. Plasma Aβ42/Aβ40 is a comparatively dichotomous measure of brain amyloidosis. Models can predict regional amyloid PET burden based on CSF Aβ42/Aβ40. CSF Aβ42/Aβ40 may be useful in staging AD.