CSF proteomic profiling with amyloid and tau pathology identifies distinctive sex‐specific alteration of multiple proteins involved in Alzheimer's disease

Our proteomic study of 6162 proteins (targeted by 7006 aptamers) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 2496 participants identified and replicated 68 male-specific and 116 female-specific proteins associated with cerebrospinal fluid amyloid beta 42 and/or phosphorylated tau levels. Male-specific proteins, enriched in microglia, were involved in activation of innate immune response. The male network highlighted MAPKAPK2 involved in chronic neuronal neuroinflammation as a hub. Female-specific proteins, enriched in endothelial cells, were involved in regulation of protein metabolic process and response to external stimuli. The female network highlighted PRKCA regulating synaptic plasticity and CSNK2A2 protein involved in neuroplasticity as hubs.