Extended Data Fig. 9: Exploratory analyses evaluating the associations between Aβ, tau, glial reactivity, and the memory cognitive domain.
From: Microglia modulate Aβ-dependent astrocyte reactivity in Alzheimer’s disease
Structural equation modeling testing the associations between global Aβ PET, plasma GFAP, plasma p-tau217, temporal meta-ROI tau PET, and the memory composite score. (a) The model in MA-TSPO individuals fit the data poorly (RMSEA = 0.260, SRMR = 0.070, CFI = 0.912). (b) The model in MA+TSPO individuals fit the data well (RMSEA = 0.000, SRMR = 0.015, CFI = 1.000). Associations were adjusted for age, sex, and (if involving memory function) years of education. Solid lines with standardized β-estimates and 95% CI represent significant associations, while dashed lines represent non-significant effects. The memory composite score was calculated by averaging the z-scores from the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test immediate recall, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test delayed recall, Logical Memory immediate recall, and Logical Memory delayed recall. Z-scores used in the memory composite were calculated based on the mean and SD of raw test scores from CU individuals. Analyses were performed in a subset of 90 individuals (47 MA-TSPO and 43 MA+TSPO). Among the participants assessed in the main structural equation modeling analyses (Fig. 2d,e), three participants were not included because they did not have complete neuropsychological testing for calculating the memory composite score. Abbreviations: Aβ = amyloid-β; CFI = comparative fit index; CI = confidence interval; CU = cognitively unimpaired; GFAP = glial fibrillary acidic protein; MA = microglial activation; PET = positron emission tomography; p-tau217 = phosphorylated tau at threonine 217; RMSEA = root mean squared error of approximation; ROI = region of interest; SD = standard deviation; SRMR = standardized root mean square residual; TSPO = translocator protein.
