TY - JOUR
T1 - Longitudinal changes in functional brain connectivity predicts conversion to Alzheimer's disease
AU - Serra, Laura
AU - Cercignani, Mara
AU - Mastropasqua, Chiara
AU - Torso, Mario
AU - Spanò, Barbara
AU - Makovac, Elena
AU - Viola, Vanda
AU - Giulietti, Giovanni
AU - Marra, Camillo
AU - Caltagirone, Carlo
AU - Bozzali, Marco
PY - 2016/3/15
Y1 - 2016/3/15
N2 - This longitudinal study investigates the modifications in structure and function occurring to typical Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains over a 2-year follow-up, from pre-dementia stages of disease, with the aim of identifying biomarkers of prognostic value. Thirty-one patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment were recruited and followed-up with clinical, neuropsychological, and MRI assessments. Patients were retrospectively classified as AD Converters or Non-Converters, and the data compared between groups. Cross-sectional MRI data at baseline, assessing volume and functional connectivity abnormalities, confirmed previous findings, showing a more severe pattern of regional grey matter atrophy and default-mode network disconnection in Converters than in Non-Converters. Longitudinally, Converters showed more grey matter atrophy in the frontotemporal areas, accompanied by increased connectivity in the precuneus. Discriminant analysis revealed that functional connectivity of the precuneus within the default mode network at baseline is the parameter able to correctly classify patients in Converters and Non-Converters with high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy.
AB - This longitudinal study investigates the modifications in structure and function occurring to typical Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains over a 2-year follow-up, from pre-dementia stages of disease, with the aim of identifying biomarkers of prognostic value. Thirty-one patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment were recruited and followed-up with clinical, neuropsychological, and MRI assessments. Patients were retrospectively classified as AD Converters or Non-Converters, and the data compared between groups. Cross-sectional MRI data at baseline, assessing volume and functional connectivity abnormalities, confirmed previous findings, showing a more severe pattern of regional grey matter atrophy and default-mode network disconnection in Converters than in Non-Converters. Longitudinally, Converters showed more grey matter atrophy in the frontotemporal areas, accompanied by increased connectivity in the precuneus. Discriminant analysis revealed that functional connectivity of the precuneus within the default mode network at baseline is the parameter able to correctly classify patients in Converters and Non-Converters with high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy.
KW - Alzheimer's disease
KW - functional disconnection
KW - grey matter atrophy
KW - longitudinal study
KW - mild cognitive impairment
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84961832128&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84961832128&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3233/JAD-150961
DO - 10.3233/JAD-150961
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84961832128
VL - 51
SP - 377
EP - 389
JO - Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
JF - Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
SN - 1387-2877
IS - 2
ER -