An amylin analog used as a challenge test for Alzheimer's disease.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Preclinical studies demonstrate the potential of amylin in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We aimed to lay the foundation for repurposing the amylin analog and a diabetes drug, pramlintide, for AD in humans.

Methods

We administered a single subcutaneous injection of 60 μg of pramlintide to nondiabetic subjects under fasting conditions.

Results

None of the participants developed hypoglycemia after the injection of pramlintide. The pramlintide challenge induced a significant surge of amyloid-β peptide and a decrease in total tau in the plasma of AD subjects but not in control participants. The pramlintide injection provoked an increase in interleukin 1 receptor antagonist and a decrease in retinol-binding protein 4, which separates AD subjects from control subjects.

Discussion

Pramlintide use appeared to be safe in the absence of diabetes. The biomarker changes as a result of the pramlintide challenge, which distinguished AD from control subjects and mild cognitive impairment.

SUBMITTER: Zhu H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5424531 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature