Table 1 Sample characteristics of the different cohorts analyzed. Differences in age and PMI between cases and controls were assessed using t-test or Wilcoxon test, according to the data distribution. Sex distribution was assessed using the Fisher’s Exact test
A (Cohort 1) |  | MSA (n = 19) | HC (n = 19) | p |
Age | 70.2 ± 7.4 | 69.6 ± 6.5 | t = − 0.311; p = 0.757 | |
PMI | 10.6 ± 10.1 | 12.0 ± 10.8 | W = 175, p = 0.884 | |
Males | 10 | 10 | p = 1.000 | |
Females | 9 | 9 | ||
|  | MSA-P (n = 5) | HC (n = 19) | p | |
Age | 66.8 ± 5.8 | 69.6 ± 6.5 | t = − 1.168; p = 0.255 | |
PMI | 15.2 ± 5.9 | 12.0 ± 10.8 | W = 60.5; p = 0.374 | |
Males | 3 (60.0) | 10 (52.6) | p = 1.000 | |
Females | 2 (40.0) | 9 (47.4) | ||
|  | MSA-C (n = 5) | HC (n = 19) | p | |
Age | 72.2 ± 6.6 | 69.6 ± 6.5 | t = 0.366; p = 0.718 | |
PMI | 19.4 ± 13.2 | 12.0 ± 10.8 | W = 66.5; p = 0.188 | |
Males | 4 (80.0) | 10 (52.6) | p = 0.356 | |
Females | 1 (20.0) | 9 (47.4) | ||
B (Cohort 2)a | Â | MSA (n =Â 48) | HC (n =Â 47) | p |
Age | 64.5 ± 8.0 | 84.2 ± 9.1 | W = 159.5; p = 5.6E-13 | |
PMI | 61.7 ± 24.0 | 59.9 ± 28.2 | W = 1172; p = 0.746 | |
Males (%) | 21 (43.8) | 16 (34.0) | p = 0.402 | |
Females (%) | 27 (56.3) | 31 (66.0) | ||
| Â | MSA_P (n =Â 37) | HC (n =Â 47) | p | |
Age | 64.8 ± 8.5 | 84.2 ± 9.1 | W = 129.5; p = 2.6E-11 | |
PMI | 63.2 ± 24.6 | 59.9 ± 28.2 | W = 930; p = 0.589 | |
Males (%) | 14 (37.8) | 16 (34.0) | p = 0.820 | |
Females (%) | 23 (62.1) | 31 (66.0) | ||
| Â | MSA_C (n =Â 11) | HC (n =Â 47) | p | |
Age | 63.5 ± 6.4 | 84.2 ± 9.1 | W = 30; p = 6.0E-06 | |
PMI | 56.9 ± 22.2 | 59.9 ± 28.2 | W = 242; p = 0.751 | |
Males (%) | 7 (63.6) | 16 (34.0) | p = 0.093 | |
Females (%) | 4 (36.4) | 31 (66.0) | ||
C (Cohort 1 - LCM)b |  | MSA (n = 6) | HC (n = 6) | p |
Age | 70.0 ± 7.7 | 72.0 ± 7.0 | t = −0.469; p = 0.650 | |
PMI | 16.3 ± 14.4 | 9.4 ± 11.0 | W = 26.5; p = 0.199 | |
Males | 4 (66.7) | 2 (33.3) | p = 0.547 | |
Females | 2Â (33.3) | 4Â (66.7) |