Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of preclinical Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

The recent paradigm shift toward a more biologically oriented definition of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in clinical settings increases the importance of biomarkers of AD. The established cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of AD, reflecting both amyloidopathy and tauopathy, are being increasingly incorporated into both diagnostic guidelines, enabling the diagnosis of AD independently of clinical symptoms, and inclusionary criteria for clinical trials. The present chapter provides an overview of the clinical utility of the three established CSF AD biomarkers and covers both clinical and methodological issues. A brief summary is given on relevant laboratory techniques to determine levels of AD CSF biomarkers; methodological and clinical challenges in the field are also discussed.