Stage-Dependent β-Synuclein Links MRI and Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer's Disease


AY U., ALAYLIOĞLU M., ŞAHİN E., Oner S. S. Y., Iskan G., Cakan G. C. Y., ...Daha Fazla

Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1002/acn3.70494
  • Dergi Adı: Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Alzheimer's disease, beta synuclein, neurodegeneration, neuroimaging, synaptic biomarker
  • İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa Adresli: Evet

Özet

Objective: Synaptic degeneration drives cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but synaptic biomarkers are scarce. Brain-enriched β-synuclein emerged as a synaptic damage marker. We investigated its diagnostic, prognostic, and structural correlates across the AD continuum. Methods: In a tertiary-center cohort (n = 306), CSF β-synuclein was measured. Cognitively unimpaired (CU), AD-MCI, AD dementia (ADD), and non-AD (FTD, PD, DLB, others) groups were included. ANCOVA compared groups (age/sex adjusted); ROC assessed diagnostic performance. Multivariable regression examined 2-year MMSE decline associations. Voxel-wise interaction models evaluated β-synuclein–gray matter volume (GMV) relationships. Results: CSF β-synuclein differed across groups (p < 0.001), with highest levels observed in AD-MCI and lower levels in ADD. AD-MCI levels exceeded CU/ADD. AD-MCI versus CU AUC was 0.874. Baseline β-synuclein predicted greater MMSE decline in AD-MCI (β = 0.72, p < 0.001) and ADD (β = 0.47, p = 0.017). Voxel-wise analyses revealed stage-dependent β-synuclein–GMV reversals in precentral and temporoparietal regions. Conclusion: CSF β-synuclein shows a stage-dependent pattern across the AD continuum, predicts cognitive decline, and dynamic structural coupling. It supports β-synuclein as a relevant synaptic biomarker in AD.