Comparative analytical performance of multiple plasma A beta 42 and A beta 40 assays and their ability to predict positron emission tomography amyloid positivity

Introduction This report details the approach taken to providing a dataset allowing for analyses on the performance of recently developed assays of amyloid beta (A beta) peptides in plasma and the extent to which they improve the prediction of amyloid positivity. Methods Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative plasma samples with corresponding amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) data were run on six plasma A beta assays. Statistical tests were performed to determine whether the plasma A beta measures significantly improved the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting amyloid PET status compared to age and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype. Results The age and APOE genotype model predicted amyloid status with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.75. Three assays improved AUCs to 0.81, 0.81, and 0.84 (P < .05, uncorrected for multiple comparisons). Discussion Measurement of A beta in plasma contributes to addressing the amyloid component of the ATN (amyloid/tau/neurodegeneration) framework and could be a first step before or in place of a PET or cerebrospinal fluid screening study. Highlights The Foundation of the National Institutes of Health Biomarkers Consortium evaluated six plasma amyloid beta (A beta) assays using Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative samples. Three assays improved prediction of amyloid status over age and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype. Plasma A beta 42/40 predicted amyloid positron emission tomography status better than A beta 42 or A beta 40 alone.