Based on the Human Protein Atlas for neurotransmitter receptor distribution, we distinguished between ‘areas high and low’ in noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin and acetylcholine and assessed associations of atrophy in those areas with CSF amyloid-ß 42/40, CSF phosphorylated tau protein and cognitive function across healthy controls (n = 122), individuals with subjective cognitive decline (n = 156), mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer’s disease dementia (n = 126) using structural equation modelling. The gene discussed is MAPT; the disease is dementia.