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Progranulin plasma levels predict the presence of GRN mutations in asymptomatic subjects and do not correlate with brain atrophy: results from the GENFI study.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Galimberti, Daniela  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9284-5953
Fumagalli, Giorgio G  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0687-7199
Fenoglio, Chiara 
Cioffi, Sara MG 
Arighi, Andrea 

Abstract

We investigated whether progranulin plasma levels are predictors of the presence of progranulin gene (GRN) null mutations or of the development of symptoms in asymptomatic at risk members participating in the Genetic Frontotemporal Dementia Initiative, including 19 patients, 64 asymptomatic carriers, and 77 noncarriers. In addition, we evaluated a possible role of TMEM106B rs1990622 as a genetic modifier and correlated progranulin plasma levels and gray-matter atrophy. Plasma progranulin mean ± SD plasma levels in patients and asymptomatic carriers were significantly decreased compared with noncarriers (30.5 ± 13.0 and 27.7 ± 7.5 versus 99.6 ± 24.8 ng/mL, p < 0.00001). Considering the threshold of >61.55 ng/mL, the test had a sensitivity of 98.8% and a specificity of 97.5% in predicting the presence of a mutation, independent of symptoms. No correlations were found between progranulin plasma levels and age, years from average age at onset in each family, or TMEM106B rs1990622 genotype (p > 0.05). Plasma progranulin levels did not correlate with brain atrophy. Plasma progranulin levels predict the presence of GRN null mutations independent of proximity to symptoms and brain atrophy.

Description

Keywords

Biomarker, Brain atrophy, Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Plasma levels, Progranulin (GRN), Proximity marker, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Atrophy, Cohort Studies, Female, Frontotemporal Dementia, Genetic Association Studies, Genetic Testing, Gray Matter, Heterozygote, Humans, Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins, Male, Membrane Proteins, Middle Aged, Multicenter Studies as Topic, Mutation, Nerve Tissue Proteins, Progranulins, Sensitivity and Specificity, Young Adult

Journal Title

Neurobiol Aging

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0197-4580
1558-1497

Volume Title

62

Publisher

Elsevier BV
Sponsorship
Wellcome Trust (103838/Z/14/Z)
Medical Research Council (MR/J009482/1)
Medical Research Council (MC_U105597119)
Medical Research Council (MC_UU_00005/12)