Elevated Brain Amyloid in Cognitively Normal Adults: A Cautionary Tale

Researchers evaluated the longitudinal effects of elevated brain amyloid levels compared with the effects of normal amyloid levels in 445 initially cognitively normal individuals (mean age, 74; mean education level, 16 years; 52% women). Mean follow-up was 4 years; maximum follow-up was 10 years. The study was partially manufacturer-supported. Elevated brain amyloid was seen in 202 individuals based on positron emission tomography amyloid imaging or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid levels.

Those with elevated amyloid versus normal amyloid at baseline had similar cognitive performance on global screening mental status examination scores and a composite score of episodic memory, orientation, and executive function. The elevated-amyloid group …