A metabolite panel that differentiates Alzheimer's disease from other dementia types

INTRODUCTION Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with altered metabolites. This study aimed to determine the validity of using circulating metabolites to differentiate AD from other dementias. METHODS Blood metabolites were measured in three data sets. Data set 1 (controls, 27; AD, 28) was used for analyzing differential metabolites. Data set 2 (controls, 93; AD, 92) was used to establish a diagnostic AD model with use of a metabolite panel. The model was applied to Data set 3 (controls, 76; AD, 76; other dementias, 205) to verify its capacity for differentiating AD from other dementias. RESULTS Data set 1 revealed 7 upregulated and 77 downregulated metabolites. In Data set 2, a panel of 11 metabolites was included in a model that could distinguish AD from controls. In Data set 3, this panel was used to successfully differentiate AD from other dementias. DISCUSSION This study revealed an AD-specific panel of 11 metabolites that may be used for AD diagnosis.