CAPS: a simple clinical tool for β-amyloid positivity prediction in clinical Alzheimer syndrome.

INTRODUCTION

With the advent of anti-β-amyloid therapies, clinical distinction between Aβ + and Aβ- in cognitive impairment is becoming increasingly important for stratifying referral and better utilization of biomarker assays.

METHODS

Cognitive profile, rate of decline, neuropsychiatric inventory questionnaire (NPI-Q), and imaging characteristics were collected from 52 subjects with possible/probable AD.

RESULTS

Participants with Aβ+ status had lower baseline MMSE scores (24.50 vs. 26.85,  = 0.009) and higher total NPI-Q scores (2.73 vs. 1.18,  < 0.001). NPI-Q score was found to be the only independent predictor for β-amyloid positivity ( = 0.008). A simple scoring system, namely Clinical β-Amyloid Positivity Prediction Score (CAPS), was developed by using the following parameters: NPI-Q, rapidity of cognitive decline, and white matter microangiopathy. Data from 48 participants were included in the analysis of accuracy of CAPS. CAP Score of 3 or 4 successfully classified Aβ + individuals in 86.7% cases.

DISCUSSION

Clinical β-Amyloid Positivity Prediction Score is a simple clinical tool for use in primary care and memory clinic settings to predict β-amyloid positivity in individuals with clinical Alzheimer Syndrome can potentially facilitate referral for Anti Aβ therapies.