A – 107 Regional Tau Deposition as a Moderator of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Alzheimer’s Disease

Objective Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) commonly manifest in the early stages of the disease. This study examines regional tau deposition, a characteristic biomarker of AD, as a potential moderator of NPS at progressing stages of the disease. Participants from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging (ADNI) were measured for tau with PET imaging and for NPS by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Method 396 ADNI participants with a mean age of 71.1 (SD=6.46), meeting biomarker threshold for an AD or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) diagnosis were separated into groups by Braak tau pathology stage. 2 were diagnosed with AD, 156 Cognitively normal, 127 diagnosed with MCI, and 111 reported subjective memory complaints. Moderation analyses between regional tau SUVR and NPS score for each symptom, as well as total score, were conducted. Results In Braak stage ½ tau deposition was found to significantly (P < .05) moderate total NPS score. In Braak stage ¾ participants, tau deposition was found to moderate total NPS score, irritability/Lability and anxiety. In Braak stage 5/6 participants regional tau deposition was found to moderate disinhibition, irritability, aberrant motor behavior, disinhibition and appetite/eating changes. In Braak stage 1-6 participants, apathy, disinhibition, Irritability/Lability, appetite/eating changes, aberrant motor behavior and total NPS score was moderated by tau deposition. Conclusion The emergence of NPS is moderated by tau deposition in the specific regions brain. Direct relationships to disinhibition, motor behavior, irritability/lability and appetite changes can be observed. These findings offer insight into the course of neuropsychiatric symptoms over the course of AD progression.