Amyloid deposition is associated with impaired default network function in older persons without dementia. Neuron 2009 Jul 30;63(2):178-88
Date
07/31/2009Pubmed ID
19640477Pubmed Central ID
PMC2738994DOI
10.1016/j.neuron.2009.07.003Scopus ID
2-s2.0-67650875899 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 814 CitationsAbstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been associated with functional alterations in a distributed network of brain regions linked to memory function, with a recent focus on the cortical regions collectively known as the default network. Posterior components of the default network, including the precuneus and posterior cingulate, are particularly vulnerable to early deposition of amyloid beta-protein, one of the hallmark pathologies of AD. In this study, we use in vivo amyloid imaging to demonstrate that high levels of amyloid deposition are associated with aberrant default network functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activity in asymptomatic and minimally impaired older individuals, similar to the pattern of dysfunction reported in AD patients. These findings suggest that amyloid pathology is linked to neural dysfunction in brain regions supporting memory function and provide support for the hypothesis that cognitively intact older individuals with evidence of amyloid pathology may be in early stages of AD.
Author List
Sperling RA, Laviolette PS, O'Keefe K, O'Brien J, Rentz DM, Pihlajamaki M, Marshall G, Hyman BT, Selkoe DJ, Hedden T, Buckner RL, Becker JA, Johnson KAAuthor
Peter LaViolette PhD Professor in the Radiology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAged
Aged, 80 and over
Amyloid beta-Peptides
Cognition
Dementia
Female
Hippocampus
Humans
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Microscopy, Electron
Nerve Net
Neurons
