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Differential associations of core and non-core plasma biomarkers with cognitive performance in Black adults
Yiqi Zhu, JF Trani, Alexis I. B. Walker, Semere Bekena, Ramkrishna K. Singh, Ganesh Muneshwar Babulal. Journal of Alzheimer s Disease, 2026-05-27
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Background Black adults experience disproportionately higher rates of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), yet remain underrepresented in blood-based biomarker research. Understanding how plasma biomarkers relate to cognitive performance is essential for equitable detection and monitoring of ADRD. Objective We examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of both core and non-core plasma biomarkers and cognition in a community-based cohort of Black adults. Methods Participants from the ARCHES study completed baseline plasma biomarker assessments and neuropsychological testing, including a Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (PACC) score and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Plasma biomarkers reflecting amyloid, tau, neurodegeneration, and astrocytic activation were quantified using immunoprecipitation–mass spectrometry and ultrasensitive immunoassay platforms. Linear regression was used to evaluate cross-sectional associations between biomarkers and cognition. Linear mixed-effects models examined whether baseline biomarker levels were associated with cognitive change over one year, adjusting for age, sex, and education. Results The sample included 334 participants with a mean baseline age of 64.6 years (SD = 10.1; range, 45–92.9). Cross-sectionally, higher brain-derived phosphorylated tau 181 was associated with poorer MoCA score (p = 0.04), and neurofilament light chain (NfL) level was also associated with lower PACC score (p = 0.04). Longitudinally, higher baseline NfL and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were associated with faster cognitive decline (p < 0.001 and p = 0.018). Conclusions Non-core NfL and GFAP biomarkers are associated with both cross-sectional and longitudinal cognitive performance. These findings highlight the importance of inclusive biomarker research and suggest non-core biomarkers may be particularly informative for characterizing cognitive aging and decline in this population.
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APA 7th
Zhu, Y., Trani, J. F., Walker, A. I. B., Bekena, S., Singh, R. K., & Babulal, G. M. (2026). Differential associations of core and non-core plasma biomarkers with cognitive performance in Black adults. Journal of Alzheimer s Disease. https://doi.org/10.1177/13872877261450646
Vancouver
Zhu Y, Trani JF, Walker AIB, Bekena S, Singh RK, Babulal GM. Differential associations of core and non-core plasma biomarkers with cognitive performance in Black adults. Journal of Alzheimer s Disease. 2026. doi:10.1177/13872877261450646. PMID: 42199003.
BibTeX
@article{zhu2026-42199003,
author = {Zhu, Yiqi and Trani, JF and Walker, Alexis I. B. and Bekena, Semere and Singh, Ramkrishna K. and Babulal, Ganesh Muneshwar},
title = {{Differential associations of core and non-core plasma biomarkers with cognitive performance in Black adults}},
journal = {Journal of Alzheimer s Disease},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.1177/13872877261450646},
pmid = {42199003},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/13872877261450646}
}
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Key findings
- Linear mixed-effects models examined whether baseline biomarker levels were associated with cognitive change over one year, adjusting for age, sex, and education.
- Results The sample included 334 participants with a mean baseline age of 64.6 years (SD = 10.1; range, 45–92.9).
- Cross-sectionally, higher brain-derived phosphorylated tau 181 was associated with poorer MoCA score (p = 0.04), and neurofilament light chain (NfL) level was also associated with lower PACC score (p = 0.04).
- Longitudinally, higher baseline NfL and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were associated with faster cognitive decline (p < 0.001 and p = 0.018).
- Conclusions Non-core NfL and GFAP biomarkers are associated with both cross-sectional and longitudinal cognitive performance.
Why it matters
In a community-based cohort of Black adults, higher brain-derived phosphorylated tau 181 was cross-sectionally associated with poorer MoCA score, and higher neurofilament light chain with lower PACC score. Longitudinal associations over one year were also examined, but this is observational work on biomarker-cognition links, not a treatment or prevention study.
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Study details
- Study designcross-sectional
- Participants334
- Evidence strengthModerate
How this study scored 44/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a snapshot of people at one point in time. Scored zero for effect reported and randomized / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Journal of Alzheimer s Disease) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Journal of Alzheimer s Disease: journal h-index 218 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 4 / 12 | A snapshot of people at one point in time |
| Strength of evidence | 3 / 5 | Rated “moderate” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 5 / 5 | 2026 — within 1 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 2 / 4 | 334 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomized / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomization or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 0 / 7 | Cited 0 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.0 citations a year over 2 year(s) since 2026 |
| Impact for its field and year | 0 / 6 | Cited 0.0× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 0 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Ganesh Muneshwar Babulal: h-index 31 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 2 / 3 | Washington University in St. Louis: institution h-index 1,962 (OpenAlex) |
| Multicenter collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 6 institution(s) in 3 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 42199003) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 44 / 100 | — |
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