When Alzheimer's is LATE: Why Does it Matter?

Ann Neurol. 2023 Aug;94(2):211-222. doi: 10.1002/ana.26711. Epub 2023 Jun 12.

Abstract

Recent therapeutic advances provide heightened motivation for accurate diagnosis of the underlying biologic causes of dementia. This review focuses on the importance of clinical recognition of limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE). LATE affects approximately one-quarter of older adults and produces an amnestic syndrome that is commonly mistaken for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although AD and LATE often co-occur in the same patients, these diseases differ in the protein aggregates driving neuropathology (Aβ amyloid/tau vs TDP-43). This review discusses signs and symptoms, relevant diagnostic testing, and potential treatment implications for LATE that may be helpful for physicians, patients, and families. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:211-222.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease* / pathology
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism
  • Dementia
  • Humans
  • TDP-43 Proteinopathies
  • tau Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • tau Proteins
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides

Supplementary concepts

  • limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy