Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers as predictors of trajectories of depression and apathy in cognitively normal individuals, MCI and AD dementia

OBJECTIVES

To examine trajectories of depression and apathy over a 5‐year follow‐up period in (prodromal) AD, and to relate these trajectories to AD biomarkers.

METHODS

The trajectories of depression and apathy (measured with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory or its questionnaire) were separately modelled using growth mixture models for two cohorts (NACC, n = 22 760 and ADNI, n = 1733). The trajectories in ADNI were associated with baseline CSF AD biomarkers (Aβ_42, t‐tau, and p‐tau) using bias‐corrected multinomial logistic regression.

RESULTS

Multiple classes were identified, with the largest classes having no symptoms over time. Lower Aβ₄₂ and higher tau (ie, more AD pathology) was associated with increased probability of depression and apathy over time, compared to classes without symptoms. Lower Aβ₄₂ (but not tau) was associated with a steep increase of apathy, whereas higher tau (but not Aβ₄₂) was associated with a steep decrease of apathy.

DISCUSSION

The trajectories of depression and apathy in individuals on the AD spectrum are associated with AD biomarkers.

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