CSF

Moreover, CSF analysis provides indirect, non-quantitative evidence of amyloid deposits in the brain.

Depending on the equipment and expertise available in centers, moreover, the use of amyloid imaging and CSF analysis varies in Germany, with CSF analysis currently still more widespread.

To determine the diagnostic accuracy of the results of CSF tests compared to the gold standard PET imaging, the Munich researchers evaluated the data of over 400 patients with suspected Alzheimer's disease who were given both a CSF amyloid test and a PET scan of the brain at LMU University Hospital between 2013 and 2024.

The results showed that patients with amyloid values of over 7.1 in their CSF had PET scans that mostly did not pick up anything abnormal -- meaning they tested negative for Alzheimer's.

Meanwhile, patients with amyloid values of less than 5.5 in their CSF predominantly had PET scans that showed up as abnormal as well -- meaning they tested positive for Alzheimer's with a high degree of probability.