Prevalence of high-risk plasma p-tau217 levels and 5-year transition of risk status in 70-year-olds.

INTRODUCTION

High-risk plasma p-tau217 levels predict amyloid-β pathology in Alzheimer's disease, but little is known about the prevalence and temporal dynamics in the general population.

METHODS

Participants from the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Study in Sweden were examined (n = 1157) and re-examined after 5-7 years (n = 771). Prevalence and 5-7 year transition of high-risk plasma p-tau217 status was determined among community-dwelling 70-year-olds.

RESULTS

High-risk plasma p-tau217 prevalence was 3.6% at age 70 and 7.0% at age 75-77 years. Eighty-nine percent remained low-risk and 4% converted to high-risk at follow-up. Prevalence of dementia at follow-up was 1.7% if remaining in the low-risk group and 21.4% if transitioning to the high-risk group. Prevalence of dementia among participants staying in the high-risk group was 16.7% at follow-up.

DISCUSSION: Individuals with low-risk plasma p-tau217 were unlikely to transition over 5-7 years. However, transitioning to a higher risk-category was associated with a higher prevalence of cognitive disability.