TAU-PROTEIN CONCENTRATIONS IN CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID OF PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA OF THE ALZHEIMER-TYPE

Tau protein concentrations were measured in the CSF of 23 patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT), 36 patients with multi-infarct dementia (MID), and 23 control subjects. Tau protein concentrations were significantly higher in patients with DAT than in controls (P < 0.001) and patients with IMID (P < 0.001). A significantly positive correlation between CSF tau protein and glucose concentrations (r = 0.79, P < 0.001) and evolution of disease (r = 0.47, P < 0.05), and a negative correlation with Folstein's mental state examination test (r = -0.73, P < 0.001) were found in patients with DAT.