Fronto-temporal functional disconnection precedes hippocampal atrophy in clinically confirmed multi-domain amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment

Authors

  • Kathryn M. Broadhouse The University of the Sunshine Coast, School of Science and Engineering, Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5168-9483
  • Natalie J. Winks Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service, Birtinya, QLD, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1267-4670
  • Mathew J. Summers The University of the Sunshine Coast, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, Maroochydore, QLD, Australia. E-mail: msummers@usc.edu.au https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3869-4920

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2021-4191

Keywords:

mild cognitive impairment, functional magnetic resonance imaging, cognitive function, Alzheimer's Dementia, cognitive decline

Abstract

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is fraught with high false positive diagnostic errors. The high rate of false positive diagnosis hampers attempts to identify reliable and valid biomarkers for MCI. Recent research suggests that aberrant functional neurocircuitries emerge prior to significant cognitive deficits. The aim of the present study was to examine this in clinically confirmed multi-domain amnestic-MCI (mdaMCI) using an established, multi-time point, methodology for minimizing false positive diagnosis. Structural and resting-state functional MRI data were acquired in healthy controls (HC, n=24), clinically-confirmed multi-domain amnestic-MCI (mdaMCI, n=14) and mild Alzheimer’s Dementia (mAD, n=6). Group differences in cortical thickness, hippocampal volume and functional connectivity were investigated. Hippocampal subvolumes differentiated mAD from HC and mdaMCI. Functional decoupling of fronto-temporal networks implicated in memory and executive function differentiated HC and mdaMCI. Decreased functional connectivity in these networks was associated with poorer cognitive performance scores. Preliminary findings suggest the large-scale decoupling of fronto-temporal networks associated with cognitive decline precedes measurable structural neurodegeneration in clinically confirmed MCI and may represent a potential biomarker for disease progression. 

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Published

2021-09-27

How to Cite

Broadhouse, K. M., Winks, N. J., & Summers, M. J. (2021). Fronto-temporal functional disconnection precedes hippocampal atrophy in clinically confirmed multi-domain amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment. EXCLI Journal, 20, 1458–1473. https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2021-4191

Issue

Vol. 20 (2021)

Section

Original articles

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Copyright (c) 2021 Kathryn M. Broadhouse, Natalie J. Winks, Mathew J. Summers

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