Alzheimer's-like Form of Dementia Defined

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An international team has finished a proposed set of future research guidelines and diagnostic criteria, along with a name, for a condition known as LATE Dementia, short for "Limbic-predominant Age-related TDP-43 Encephalopathy." While LATE and Alzheimer's disease may share similar symptoms, the root causes are different. Alzheimer's results from the buildup of plaques and beta amyloid proteins while LATE is caused by TDP-43 protein in the brain.

The lack of clear diagnostic distinction between Alzheimer's and other conditions such as LATE, has resulted in not only misdiagnosing of non-Alzheimer's patients but under-diagnosing as such conditions are not infrequently found to be comorbid with Alzheimer's as well.

The risk of LATE increases with age, about a quarter of patients over the age of 85 were found to have enough misfolded TDP-43 protein deposits to have an effect on their cognitive functions. For patients who experience comorbidity of both LATE and Alzheimer's, the decline will occur even quicker.

In order to improve research for both Alzheimer's and LATE, the team has proposed that patients with LATE be removed from Alzheimer's drug studies, that autopsies be performed to evaluate and classify LATE into three stages depending on where TDP-43 is observed, and that LATE-specific biomarkers be developed to allow for better identification while the patent is still alive.

Read more: Rush University