Serum Levels of α-Klotho Are Correlated with Cerebrospinal Fluid Levels and Predict Measures of Cognitive Function
Payel Kundu, Benjamin Zimmerman, Joseph F. Quinn, Jeffrey Kaye, Nora Mattek, Shawn K. Westaway, Jacob Raber
Abstract
BACKGROUND: α-klotho might play a role in neurodegenerative diseases. OBJECTIVE: To determine levels of α-klotho and apoE in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples and their relationship with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). METHODS: All subjects were between age 39 to 83+ (n = 94). CDR and MMSE were administered to all participants. CSF was collected in the early afternoon by lumbar puncture. RESULTS: Serum and CSF levels of α-klotho are positively correlated and both predict scores on the MMSE and CDR, regardless of sex or apoE4 status. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that α-klotho may be an important biomarker of cognitive health and neurodegeneration, and that relatively non-invasive sampling of α-klotho from serum is likely highly reflective of CSF levels.