Locus coeruleus TDP-43 pathology was found in one-fifth of an autopsy cohort
Original source
Locus coeruleus TDP-43 pathology in a community-based cohort: Clinical and pathological correlates. (opens in a new tab)Compass summarised this from the study's abstract.
Study details
- Studied in
- Human
Related topics
Phosphorylated TDP-43 pathology was found in 28 of 134 autopsied brains from a community-based cohort. The pathology was usually sparse, increased with age and was associated with depressive symptoms, but not global cognition or most behavioural and psychiatric symptoms of dementia.
Why this matters
The findings add to understanding of how TDP-43 pathology appears in the locus coeruleus during brain aging and in relation to limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy neuropathologic change. The study does not establish a link to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), does not show a treatment effect and does not change treatment for people living with ALS.
Limitations and context
This was a convenience sample of 134 autopsied participants from one community-based research cohort. It was an observational pathology study, so the reported associations do not establish cause and effect. The source does not identify the cohort as an ALS/MND cohort, and the findings are not evidence of an ALS treatment or clinical benefit.