Objectives Investigating the relationships between socioemotional functioning and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) pathology can contribute to screening and early detection of AD. This study explored the associations between socioemotional functioning and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers in older adults.

Methods We used baseline data from the Advancing Reliable Measurement in Alzheimer’s Disease and Cognitive Aging (ARMADA) study. ARMADA is a multisite study with independent protocols for CSF assays at each site. The available sample size with comparable CSF assays had 31 participants with normal cognition (NC) and 28 with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) or early-stage AD dementia. CSF-derived AD biomarkers included were: phosphorylated-tau 181 (p-Tau181), total tau (t-Tau), Aβ42, Aβ42/40 ratio, and p-Tau181/Aβ42 ratio. Socioemotional functioning (negative affect, psychological wellbeing, and social satisfaction) was measured with the self-reported NIH Toolbox Emotion Battery (NIHTB-EB). We ran linear regressions by cognitive subgroups (NC and aMCI/early-stage AD).

Results Among participants with NC, lower social satisfaction was associated with higher p-Tau181 and t-Tau; higher t-Tau was additionally associated with more negative affect. None of the CSF AD biomarkers were associated with the NIHTB-EB outcomes among participants with aMCI or early-stage AD.

Discussion These findings suggest that socioemotional functioning may be associated with tau pathology. Markers for amyloid were not related to socioemotional functioning regardless of disease stages. Future studies with larger, more diverse samples and harmonized CSF assay protocols are needed to further examine the role of early socioemotional change in early detection and prevention of dementia.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

This work was supported by the National Institute on Aging Advancing Reliable Measurement in Alzheimer's Disease and cognitive Aging Project (U2CAG057441). KY is supported by National Institute on Aging (K00AG068492)

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The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:

Each of the ARMADA sites' local IRB reviewed and approved the activities that were carried out at that particular site. Northwestern University IRB also reviewed and approved the activities as the coordinating center for the study. Local IRBs: Northwestern University Massachusetts General Hospital University of Wisconsin, Madison University of Michigan Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville University of California, San Diego University of Pittsburgh Emory University Columbia University

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All data produced in the present study are available upon reasonable request to the authors