Authors: Leda Leme Talib, Alana Caroline Costa, Helena Passarelli Giroud Joaquim, Orestes Vicente Forlenza, Wagner Farid Gattaz
Published: 2020-12-07
DOI: 10.1002/alz.043519
Source: Full article
AbstractBackgroundMembrane metabolites are important mediators of neuronal function. The metabolomic profile of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may suggest potential diagnostic biomarkers and provide information on the pathophysiology of dementia.MethodWe investigated the metabolomic profile of 79 older adults with primary cognitive impairment (34 patients with AD and 20 with MCI) and 25 physically and cognitively healthy elders (controls). We quantified plasma metabolites including membrane phospholipids, sphingomyelins, and acylcarnitines using the AbsoluteIDQ® p180 followed by flow injection analysis coupled with mass spectrometry.ResultA cluster analysis revealed that a combination of acylcarnitines (C12‐DC, C12) and phosphatidylcholine (PC aa C26:0) could differentiate the patients according to diagnostic groups. As a general trend, phosphatidylcholines, acylcarnitines and sphingomyelins levels were lower in AD and MCI subjects compared to healthy controls, and this decrease was even more significant in MCI. The concentration of lysophospholipids was higher in AD and decreased in MCI, as compared to controls.ConclusionFuture studies should combine metabolomic profiles with other biomarkers to identify diagnostic groups.