Brain Changes in Mild Cognitive Impairment
Author Information
Author(s): Bai Feng, Watson David R., Shi Yongmei, Wang Yi, Yue Chunxian, Yuhuan Teng, Wu Di, Yuan Yonggui, Zhang Zhijun
Primary Institution: Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
Hypothesis
Identifying links between development of the default mode network (DMN) and aMCI progression would be of considerable value in understanding brain changes underpinning aMCI and determining risk of conversion to AD.
Conclusion
The patterns of longitudinal deficits of DMN may assist investigators to identify and monitor the development of aMCI.
Supporting Evidence
- PCC/PCu hyper-functional connectivity was observed at baseline in aMCI subjects.
- A substantial decrement of these connections was evident at follow-up in aMCI subjects compared to matched controls.
- PCC/PCu dysfunction was positively related to impairments of episodic memory from baseline to follow-up in the aMCI group.
Takeaway
This study looked at how the brain's default network changes over time in people with mild cognitive impairment, which can help predict who might develop Alzheimer's disease.
Methodology
Resting-state fMRI was acquired in aMCI subjects and controls at baseline and after approximately 20 months follow up, using independent component analysis to isolate the DMN.
Potential Biases
Potential contamination of the sample with non-AD cases due to reliance on clinical criteria for recruitment.
Limitations
The study sample may include non-AD cases, and the findings should be interpreted with caution due to the lack of direct follow-up scans for conversions to dementia.
Participant Demographics
26 aMCI subjects and 18 matched healthy controls, with a mean follow-up period of 20 months.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.018
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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