Platelet-derived growth factor-BB and white matter hyperintensity burden in APOE4 carriers.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional observational biomarker association study
PubMed 35844252 · doi:10.1016/j.cccb.2022.100131
What was done
Researchers analyzed data from 64 community-dwelling older adults (aged 55–90 years, mean 73.1 ± 7.5, 61.0% male) from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Participants underwent plasma immunoassay for PDGF-BB, T2-FLAIR brain MRI for volumetric measurement of white matter hyperintensities (WMH), and APOE4 genotyping. Linear regression models tested the association between plasma PDGF-BB and WMH volume adjusting for age, sex, intracranial volume (ICV), and APOE4 status.
What was found
Across the cohort, higher circulating PDGF-BB was associated with greater WMH volume after adjusting for age, sex, ICV, and APOE4 status (p = 0.040). In stratified analysis, the association remained significant in APOE4 carriers (n = 19 [29.2%], p = 0.007) but was not significant in non-carriers (p = 0.448).
Why it matters
These findings suggest that plasma PDGF-BB may serve as a peripheral biomarker of white matter injury and pericyte/blood-brain barrier involvement specifically in individuals carrying the APOE4 allele.
Limits
The study is cross-sectional, precluding causal inference. The sample size was small (N = 64, with only 19 APOE4 carriers). Point estimates, effect sizes, and confidence intervals were not reported in the abstract.
Cited by
- supports White matter hyperintensities are associated with blood-brain barrier leakage, pericyte detachment, and leakage of blood toxins that damage myelin sheaths and axons.