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Tustison NJ, Yassa MA, Rizvi B, Cook PA, Holbrook AJ, Sathishkumar MT, Tustison MG, Gee JC, Stone JR, Avants BB. ANTsX neuroimaging-derived structural phenotypes of UK Biobank. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8848. [PMID: 38632390 PMCID: PMC11024129 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59440-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
UK Biobank is a large-scale epidemiological resource for investigating prospective correlations between various lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors with health and disease progression. In addition to individual subject information obtained through surveys and physical examinations, a comprehensive neuroimaging battery consisting of multiple modalities provides imaging-derived phenotypes (IDPs) that can serve as biomarkers in neuroscience research. In this study, we augment the existing set of UK Biobank neuroimaging structural IDPs, obtained from well-established software libraries such as FSL and FreeSurfer, with related measurements acquired through the Advanced Normalization Tools Ecosystem. This includes previously established cortical and subcortical measurements defined, in part, based on the Desikan-Killiany-Tourville atlas. Also included are morphological measurements from two recent developments: medial temporal lobe parcellation of hippocampal and extra-hippocampal regions in addition to cerebellum parcellation and thickness based on the Schmahmann anatomical labeling. Through predictive modeling, we assess the clinical utility of these IDP measurements, individually and in combination, using commonly studied phenotypic correlates including age, fluid intelligence, numeric memory, and several other sociodemographic variables. The predictive accuracy of these IDP-based models, in terms of root-mean-squared-error or area-under-the-curve for continuous and categorical variables, respectively, provides comparative insights between software libraries as well as potential clinical interpretability. Results demonstrate varied performance between package-based IDP sets and their combination, emphasizing the need for careful consideration in their selection and utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Tustison
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
| | - Michael A Yassa
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Batool Rizvi
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Philip A Cook
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andrew J Holbrook
- Department of Biostatistics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | - James C Gee
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - James R Stone
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Brian B Avants
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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Ananth MR, Gardus JD, Huang C, Palekar N, Slifstein M, Zaborszky L, Parsey RV, Talmage DA, DeLorenzo C, Role LW. Loss of cholinergic input to the entorhinal cortex is an early indicator of cognitive impairment in natural aging of humans and mice. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3851086. [PMID: 38260541 PMCID: PMC10802688 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3851086/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
In a series of translational experiments using fully quantitative positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with a new tracer specific for the vesicular acetylcholine transporter ([18F]VAT) in vivo in humans, and genetically targeted cholinergic markers in mice, we evaluated whether changes to the cholinergic system were an early feature of age-related cognitive decline. We found that deficits in cholinergic innervation of the entorhinal cortex (EC) and decline in performance on behavioral tasks engaging the EC are, strikingly, early features of the aging process. In human studies, we recruited older adult volunteers that were physically healthy and without prior clinical diagnosis of cognitive impairment. Using [18F]VAT PET imaging, we demonstrate that there is measurable loss of cholinergic inputs to the EC that can serve as an early signature of decline in EC cognitive performance. These deficits are specific to the cholinergic circuit between the medial septum and vertical limb of the diagonal band (MS/vDB; CH1/2) to the EC. Using diffusion imaging, we further demonstrate impaired structural connectivity in the tracts between the MS/vDB and EC in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Experiments in mouse, designed to parallel and extend upon the human studies, used high resolution imaging to evaluate cholinergic terminal density and immediate early gene (IEG) activity of EC neurons in healthy aging mice and in mice with genetic susceptibility to accelerated accumulation amyloid beta plaques and hyperphosphorylated mouse tau. Across species and aging conditions, we find that the integrity of cholinergic projections to the EC directly correlates with the extent of EC activation and with performance on EC-related object recognition memory tasks. Silencing EC-projecting cholinergic neurons in young, healthy mice during the object-location memory task impairs object recognition performance, mimicking aging. Taken together we identify a role for acetylcholine in normal EC function and establish loss of cholinergic input to the EC as an early, conserved feature of age-related cognitive decline in both humans and rodents.
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DiProspero N, Sathishkumar M, Janecek J, Smith A, McMillan L, Petersen M, Tustison N, Keator DB, Doran E, Hom CL, Nguyen D, Andrews H, Krinsky‐McHale S, Brickman AM, Rosas HD, Lai F, Head E, Mapstone M, Silverman W, Lott IT, O'Bryant S, Yassa MA. Neurofilament light chain concentration mediates the association between regional medial temporal lobe structure and memory in adults with Down syndrome. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 16:e12542. [PMID: 38348178 PMCID: PMC10859879 DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Virtually all people with Down syndrome (DS) develop neuropathology associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Atrophy of the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex (EC), as well as elevated plasma concentrations of neurofilament light chain (NfL) protein, are markers of neurodegeneration associated with late-onset AD. We hypothesized that hippocampus and EC gray matter loss and increased plasma NfL concentrations are associated with memory in adults with DS. METHODS T1-weighted structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were collected from 101 participants with DS. Hippocampus and EC volume, as well as EC subregional cortical thickness, were derived. In a subset of participants, plasma NfL concentrations and modified Cued Recall Test scores were obtained. Partial correlation and mediation were used to test relationships between medial temporal lobe (MTL) atrophy, plasma NfL, and episodic memory. RESULTS Hippocampus volume, left anterolateral EC (alEC) thickness, and plasma NfL were correlated with each other and were associated with memory. Plasma NfL mediated the relationship between left alEC thickness and memory as well as hippocampus volume and memory. DISCUSSION The relationship between MTL gray matter and memory is mediated by plasma NfL levels, suggesting a link between neurodegenerative processes underlying axonal injury and frank gray matter loss in key structures supporting episodic memory in people with DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie DiProspero
- Department of Neurobiology and BehaviorSchool of Biological SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and MemoryUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | - Mithra Sathishkumar
- Department of Neurobiology and BehaviorSchool of Biological SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and MemoryUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | - John Janecek
- Department of Neurobiology and BehaviorSchool of Biological SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and MemoryUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | - Anna Smith
- Department of Neurobiology and BehaviorSchool of Biological SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and MemoryUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | - Liv McMillan
- Department of Neurobiology and BehaviorSchool of Biological SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and MemoryUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | - Melissa Petersen
- Institute for Translational ResearchUniversity of North Texas Health Science CenterFort WorthTexasUSA
| | - Nicholas Tustison
- Department of Neurobiology and BehaviorSchool of Biological SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
- Department of RadiologyUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVirginiaUSA
| | - David B. Keator
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesSchool of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | - Eric Doran
- Department of PediatricsSchool of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | - Christy L. Hom
- Department of PediatricsSchool of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | - Dana Nguyen
- Department of PediatricsSchool of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | - Howard Andrews
- Department of PsychiatryCollege of Physicians and SurgeonsColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Sharon Krinsky‐McHale
- Department of NeurologyCollege of Physicians and SurgeonsColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Adam M. Brickman
- Department of NeurologyCollege of Physicians and SurgeonsColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging BrainCollege of Physicians and SurgeonsColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - H. Diana Rosas
- Department of NeurologyMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Florence Lai
- Department of NeurologyMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Elizabeth Head
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and MemoryUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
- Department of PathologySchool of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | - Mark Mapstone
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and MemoryUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
- Department of NeurologySchool of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | - Wayne Silverman
- Department of PediatricsSchool of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | - Ira T. Lott
- Department of PediatricsSchool of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sid O'Bryant
- Institute for Translational ResearchUniversity of North Texas Health Science CenterFort WorthTexasUSA
| | - Michael A. Yassa
- Department of Neurobiology and BehaviorSchool of Biological SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and MemoryUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesSchool of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
- Department of NeurologySchool of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
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Tustison NJ, Yassa MA, Rizvi B, Cook PA, Holbrook AJ, Sathishkumar MT, Tustison MG, Gee JC, Stone JR, Avants BB. ANTsX neuroimaging-derived structural phenotypes of UK Biobank. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3459157. [PMID: 37961236 PMCID: PMC10635385 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3459157/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
UK Biobank is a large-scale epidemiological resource for investigating prospective correlations between various lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors with health and disease progression. In addition to individual subject information obtained through surveys and physical examinations, a comprehensive neuroimaging battery consisting of multiple modalities provides imaging-derived phenotypes (IDPs) that can serve as biomarkers in neuroscience research. In this study, we augment the existing set of UK Biobank neuroimaging structural IDPs, obtained from well-established software libraries such as FSL and FreeSurfer, with related measurements acquired through the Advanced Normalization Tools Ecosystem. This includes previously established cortical and subcortical measurements defined, in part, based on the Desikan-Killiany-Tourville atlas. Also included are morphological measurements from two recent developments: medial temporal lobe parcellation of hippocampal and extra-hippocampal regions in addition to cerebellum parcellation and thickness based on the Schmahmann anatomical labeling. Through predictive modeling, we assess the clinical utility of these IDP measurements, individually and in combination, using commonly studied phenotypic correlates including age, fluid intelligence, numeric memory, and several other sociodemographic variables. The predictive accuracy of these IDP-based models, in terms of root-mean-squared-error or area-under-the-curve for continuous and categorical variables, respectively, provides comparative insights between software libraries as well as potential clinical interpretability. Results demonstrate varied performance between package-based IDP sets and their combination, emphasizing the need for careful consideration in their selection and utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J. Tustison
- Department of Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA
| | - Michael A. Yassa
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA
| | - Batool Rizvi
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA
| | - Philip A. Cook
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | | | | | - James C. Gee
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - James R. Stone
- Department of Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Brian B. Avants
- Department of Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
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Rahayel S, Tremblay C, Vo A, Misic B, Lehéricy S, Arnulf I, Vidailhet M, Corvol JC, Gagnon JF, Postuma RB, Montplaisir J, Lewis S, Matar E, Ehgoetz Martens K, Borghammer P, Knudsen K, Hansen AK, Monchi O, Gan-Or Z, Dagher A. Mitochondrial function-associated genes underlie cortical atrophy in prodromal synucleinopathies. Brain 2023; 146:3301-3318. [PMID: 36826230 PMCID: PMC10393413 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Isolated rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder (iRBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the loss of rapid eye movement sleep muscle atonia and the appearance of abnormal movements and vocalizations during rapid eye movement sleep. It is a strong marker of incipient synucleinopathy such as dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease. Patients with iRBD already show brain changes that are reminiscent of manifest synucleinopathies including brain atrophy. However, the mechanisms underlying the development of this atrophy remain poorly understood. In this study, we performed cutting-edge imaging transcriptomics and comprehensive spatial mapping analyses in a multicentric cohort of 171 polysomnography-confirmed iRBD patients [67.7 ± 6.6 (49-87) years; 83% men] and 238 healthy controls [66.6 ± 7.9 (41-88) years; 77% men] with T1-weighted MRI to investigate the gene expression and connectivity patterns associated with changes in cortical thickness and surface area in iRBD. Partial least squares regression was performed to identify the gene expression patterns underlying cortical changes in iRBD. Gene set enrichment analysis and virtual histology were then done to assess the biological processes, cellular components, human disease gene terms, and cell types enriched in these gene expression patterns. We then used structural and functional neighbourhood analyses to assess whether the atrophy patterns in iRBD were constrained by the brain's structural and functional connectome. Moreover, we used comprehensive spatial mapping analyses to assess the specific neurotransmitter systems, functional networks, cytoarchitectonic classes, and cognitive brain systems associated with cortical changes in iRBD. All comparisons were tested against null models that preserved spatial autocorrelation between brain regions and compared to Alzheimer's disease to assess the specificity of findings to synucleinopathies. We found that genes involved in mitochondrial function and macroautophagy were the strongest contributors to the cortical thinning occurring in iRBD. Moreover, we demonstrated that cortical thinning was constrained by the brain's structural and functional connectome and that it mapped onto specific networks involved in motor and planning functions. In contrast with cortical thickness, changes in cortical surface area were related to distinct genes, namely genes involved in the inflammatory response, and to different spatial mapping patterns. The gene expression and connectivity patterns associated with iRBD were all distinct from those observed in Alzheimer's disease. In summary, this study demonstrates that the development of brain atrophy in synucleinopathies is constrained by specific genes and networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shady Rahayel
- The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital), McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
- Centre for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, Montreal H4J 1C5, Canada
| | - Christina Tremblay
- The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital), McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Andrew Vo
- The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital), McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Bratislav Misic
- The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital), McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Stéphane Lehéricy
- Institut du Cerveau–Paris Brain Institute–ICM, INSERM, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Paris 75013, France
| | - Isabelle Arnulf
- Institut du Cerveau–Paris Brain Institute–ICM, INSERM, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Paris 75013, France
| | - Marie Vidailhet
- Institut du Cerveau–Paris Brain Institute–ICM, INSERM, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Paris 75013, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Corvol
- Institut du Cerveau–Paris Brain Institute–ICM, INSERM, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Paris 75013, France
| | - Jean-François Gagnon
- Centre for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, Montreal H4J 1C5, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Quebec in Montreal, Montreal H2X 3P2, Canada
- Research Centre, Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, Montreal H3W 1W5, Canada
| | - Ronald B Postuma
- Centre for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, Montreal H4J 1C5, Canada
- Department of Neurology, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal H3G 1A4, Canada
| | - Jacques Montplaisir
- Centre for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, Montreal H4J 1C5, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Simon Lewis
- ForeFront Parkinson’s Disease Research Clinic, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Elie Matar
- ForeFront Parkinson’s Disease Research Clinic, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Kaylena Ehgoetz Martens
- ForeFront Parkinson’s Disease Research Clinic, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown NSW 2050, Australia
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Per Borghammer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus DK-8200, Denmark
| | - Karoline Knudsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus DK-8200, Denmark
| | - Allan K Hansen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus DK-8200, Denmark
| | - Oury Monchi
- Research Centre, Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, Montreal H3W 1W5, Canada
- Department of Radiology, Radio-Oncology, and Nuclear Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal H3T 1A4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Ziv Gan-Or
- The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital), McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal H3A 1A1, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Alain Dagher
- The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital), McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal H3A 1A1, Canada
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Llamas-Rodríguez J, Oltmer J, Marshall M, Champion S, Frosch MP, Augustinack JC. TDP-43 and tau concurrence in the entorhinal subfields in primary age-related tauopathy and preclinical Alzheimer's disease. Brain Pathol 2023:e13159. [PMID: 37037195 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.13159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphorylated tau (p-tau) pathology correlates strongly with cognitive decline and is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). In recent years, phosphorylated transactive response DNA-binding protein (pTDP-43) has emerged as a common comorbidity, found in up to 70% of all AD cases (Josephs et al., Acta Neuropathol, 131(4), 571-585; Josephs, Whitwell, et al., Acta Neuropathol, 127(6), 811-824). Current staging schemes for pTDP-43 in AD and primary age-related tauopathy (PART) track its progression throughout the brain, but the distribution of pTDP-43 within the entorhinal cortex (EC) at the earliest stages has not been studied. Moreover, the exact nature of p-tau and pTDP-43 co-localization is debated. We investigated the selective vulnerability of the entorhinal subfields to phosphorylated pTDP-43 pathology in preclinical AD and PART postmortem tissue. Within the EC, posterior-lateral subfields showed the highest semi-quantitative pTDP-43 density scores, while the anterior-medial subfields had the lowest. On the rostrocaudal axis, pTDP-43 scores were higher posteriorly than anteriorly (p < 0.010), peaking at the posterior-most level (p < 0.050). Further, we showed the relationship between pTDP-43 and p-tau in these regions at pathology-positive but clinically silent stages. P-tau and pTDP-43 presented a similar pattern of affected subregions (p < 0.0001) but differed in density magnitude (p < 0.0001). P-tau burden was consistently higher than pTDP-43 at every anterior-posterior level and in most EC subfields. These findings highlight pTDP-43 burden heterogeneity within the EC and the posterior-lateral subfields as the most vulnerable regions within stage II of the current pTDP-43 staging schemes for AD and PART. The EC is a point of convergence for p-tau and pTDP-43 and identifying its most vulnerable neuronal populations will prove key for early diagnosis and disease intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josué Llamas-Rodríguez
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jan Oltmer
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael Marshall
- Department of Neuropathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Samantha Champion
- Department of Neuropathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthew P Frosch
- Department of Neuropathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jean C Augustinack
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
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Silva A, Martínez MC. Spatial memory deficits in Alzheimer's disease and their connection to cognitive maps' formation by place cells and grid cells. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 16:1082158. [PMID: 36710956 PMCID: PMC9878455 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.1082158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Whenever we navigate through different contexts, we build a cognitive map: an internal representation of the territory. Spatial navigation is a complex skill that involves multiple types of information processing and integration. Place cells and grid cells, collectively with other hippocampal and medial entorhinal cortex neurons (MEC), form a neural network whose activity is critical for the representation of self-position and orientation along with spatial memory retrieval. Furthermore, this activity generates new representations adapting to changes in the environment. Though there is a normal decline in spatial memory related to aging, this is dramatically increased in pathological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is a multi-factorial neurodegenerative disorder affecting mainly the hippocampus-entorhinal cortex (HP-EC) circuit. Consequently, the initial stages of the disease have disorientation and wandering behavior as two of its hallmarks. Recent electrophysiological studies have linked spatial memory deficits to difficulties in spatial information encoding. Here we will discuss map impairment and remapping disruption in the HP-EC network, as a possible circuit mechanism involved in the spatial memory and navigation deficits observed in AD, pointing out the benefits of virtual reality as a tool for early diagnosis and rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azul Silva
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica “Dr. Bernardo Houssay”- CONICET (IFIBIO), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Cecilia Martínez
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica “Dr. Bernardo Houssay”- CONICET (IFIBIO), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina,Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Celular “Dr. Héctor Maldonado”, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina,*Correspondence: María Cecilia Martínez,
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Adams JN, Kim S, Rizvi B, Sathishkumar M, Taylor L, Harris AL, Mikhail A, Keator DB, McMillan L, Yassa MA. Entorhinal-Hippocampal Circuit Integrity Is Related to Mnemonic Discrimination and Amyloid-β Pathology in Older Adults. J Neurosci 2022; 42:8742-8753. [PMID: 36302636 PMCID: PMC9671577 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1165-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mnemonic discrimination, a cognitive process that relies on hippocampal pattern separation, is one of the first memory domains to decline in aging and preclinical Alzheimer's disease. We tested whether functional connectivity (FC) within the entorhinal-hippocampal circuit, measured with high-resolution resting state fMRI, is associated with mnemonic discrimination and amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology in a sample of 64 cognitively normal human older adults (mean age, 71.3 ± 6.4 years; 67% female). FC was measured between entorhinal-hippocampal circuit nodes with known anatomical connectivity, as well as within cortical memory networks. Aβ pathology was measured with 18F-florbetapir-PET, and neurodegeneration was assessed with subregional volume from structural MRI. Participants performed both object and spatial versions of a mnemonic discrimination task outside of the scanner and were classified into low-performing and high-performing groups on each task using a median split. Low object mnemonic discrimination performance was specifically associated with increased FC between anterolateral entorhinal cortex (alEC) and dentate gyrus (DG)/CA3, supporting the importance of this connection to object memory. This hyperconnectivity between alEC and DG/CA3 was related to Aβ pathology and decreased entorhinal cortex volume. In contrast, spatial mnemonic discrimination was not associated with altered FC. Aβ was further associated with dysfunction within hippocampal subfields, particularly with decreased FC between CA1 and subiculum as well as reduced volume in these regions. Our findings suggest that Aβ may indirectly lead to memory impairment through entorhinal-hippocampal circuit dysfunction and neurodegeneration and provide a mechanism for increased vulnerability of object mnemonic discrimination.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Mnemonic discrimination is a critical episodic memory process that is performed in the dentate gyrus (DG) and CA3 subfield of the hippocampus, relying on input from entorhinal cortex. Mnemonic discrimination is particularly vulnerable to decline in older adults; however, the mechanisms behind this vulnerability are still unknown. We demonstrate that object mnemonic discrimination impairment is related to hyperconnectivity between the anterolateral entorhinal cortex and DG/CA3. This hyperconnectivity was associated with amyloid-β pathology and neurodegeneration in entorhinal cortex, suggesting aberrantly increased network activity is a pathological process. Our findings provide a mechanistic explanation of the vulnerability of object compared to spatial mnemonic discrimination in older adults and has translational implications for choice of outcome measures in clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna N Adams
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697
| | - Soyun Kim
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697
| | - Batool Rizvi
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697
| | - Mithra Sathishkumar
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697
| | - Lisa Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697
| | - Alyssa L Harris
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697
| | - Abanoub Mikhail
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697
| | - David B Keator
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697
| | - Liv McMillan
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697
| | - Michael A Yassa
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697
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9
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Cai S, Yang F, Wang X, Wu S, Huang L. Structural brain characteristics and gene co-expression analysis: A study with outcome label from normal cognition to mild cognitive impairment. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2022; 191:107620. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2022.107620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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10
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Nakhla MZ, Cohen L, Salmon DP, Smirnov DS, Marquine MJ, Moore AA, Schiehser DM, Zlatar ZZ. Self-reported subjective cognitive decline is associated with global cognition in a community sample of Latinos/as/x living in the United States. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2021; 43:663-676. [PMID: 34709141 PMCID: PMC8720066 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2021.1989381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may be an early risk marker of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), research on SCD among Hispanics/Latinos/as/x (henceforth Latinos/as) living in the U.S. is lacking. We investigated if the cross-sectional relationship of self-reported SCD with objective cognition varies as a function of ethnic background (Latinos/as versus Non-Hispanic Whites [NHWs]). Secondary analyses conducted solely within the Latino/a group investigated if informant reported SCD is associated with objective cognition and whether self-reported SCD is related to markers of brain health in a sub-sample of Latinos/as with available MRI data. METHODS Eighty-three participants (≥60 years of age) without dementia (35 Latinos/as; 48 NHWs) completed the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS) and the Subjective Cognitive Decline-Questionnaire (SCD-Q). Additionally, 22 Latino/a informants completed the informant-version of the SCD-Q. Hierarchical regression models investigated if ethnicity moderates the association of MDRS and SCD-Q scores after adjusting for demographics and depressive symptoms. Correlational analyses within the Latino/a group investigated self- and informant-reported associations of SCD-Q scores with objective cognition, and associations of self-reported SCD-Q scores with medial temporal lobe volume and thickness. RESULTS Latinos/as had lower education and MDRS scores than NHWs. Higher SCD-Q scores were associated with lower MDRS scores only in Latinos/as. Within the Latino/a group, self, but not informant reported SCD was related to objective cognition. Medium to large effect sizes were found whereby higher self-reported SCD was associated with lower entorhinal cortex thickness and left hippocampal volume in Latinos/as. CONCLUSIONS The association of SCD and concurrent objectively measured global cognition varied by ethnic background and was only significant in Latinos/as. Self-reported SCD may be an indicator of cognitive and brain health in Latinos/as without dementia, prompting clinicians to monitor cognition. Future studies should explore if SCD predicts objective cognitive decline in diverse groups of Latinos/as living in the U.S.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Z. Nakhla
- San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, 6363 Alvarado Ct, San Diego, CA
- Department of Psychiatry; University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, California, 3350 La Jolla Village Dr., San Diego, CA 92161
| | - Lynn Cohen
- Department of Psychiatry; University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - David P. Salmon
- Department of Neurosciences; University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Denis S. Smirnov
- Department of Neurosciences; University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - María J. Marquine
- Department of Psychiatry; University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093
- Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology and Palliative Care; University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Alison A. Moore
- Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology and Palliative Care; University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Dawn M. Schiehser
- Department of Psychiatry; University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, California, 3350 La Jolla Village Dr., San Diego, CA 92161
| | - Zvinka Z. Zlatar
- Department of Psychiatry; University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093
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11
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The ANTsX ecosystem for quantitative biological and medical imaging. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9068. [PMID: 33907199 PMCID: PMC8079440 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87564-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The Advanced Normalizations Tools ecosystem, known as ANTsX, consists of multiple open-source software libraries which house top-performing algorithms used worldwide by scientific and research communities for processing and analyzing biological and medical imaging data. The base software library, ANTs, is built upon, and contributes to, the NIH-sponsored Insight Toolkit. Founded in 2008 with the highly regarded Symmetric Normalization image registration framework, the ANTs library has since grown to include additional functionality. Recent enhancements include statistical, visualization, and deep learning capabilities through interfacing with both the R statistical project (ANTsR) and Python (ANTsPy). Additionally, the corresponding deep learning extensions ANTsRNet and ANTsPyNet (built on the popular TensorFlow/Keras libraries) contain several popular network architectures and trained models for specific applications. One such comprehensive application is a deep learning analog for generating cortical thickness data from structural T1-weighted brain MRI, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. These pipelines significantly improve computational efficiency and provide comparable-to-superior accuracy over multiple criteria relative to the existing ANTs workflows and simultaneously illustrate the importance of the comprehensive ANTsX approach as a framework for medical image analysis.
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12
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Olajide OJ, Suvanto ME, Chapman CA. Molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration in the entorhinal cortex that underlie its selective vulnerability during the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Biol Open 2021; 10:bio056796. [PMID: 33495355 PMCID: PMC7860115 DOI: 10.1242/bio.056796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The entorhinal cortex (EC) is a vital component of the medial temporal lobe, and its contributions to cognitive processes and memory formation are supported through its extensive interconnections with the hippocampal formation. During the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), many of the earliest degenerative changes are seen within the EC. Neurodegeneration in the EC and hippocampus during AD has been clearly linked to impairments in memory and cognitive function, and a growing body of evidence indicates that molecular and functional neurodegeneration within the EC may play a primary role in cognitive decline in the early phases of AD. Defining the mechanisms underlying molecular neurodegeneration in the EC is crucial to determining its contributions to the pathogenesis of AD. Surprisingly few studies have focused on understanding the mechanisms of molecular neurodegeneration and selective vulnerability within the EC. However, there have been advancements indicating that early dysregulation of cellular and molecular signaling pathways in the EC involve neurodegenerative cascades including oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, glia activation, stress kinases activation, and neuronal loss. Dysfunction within the EC can impact the function of the hippocampus, which relies on entorhinal inputs, and further degeneration within the hippocampus can compound this effect, leading to severe cognitive disruption. This review assesses the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying early degeneration in the EC during AD. These mechanisms may underlie the selective vulnerability of neuronal subpopulations in this brain region to the disease development and contribute both directly and indirectly to cognitive loss.This paper has an associated Future Leader to Watch interview with the first author of the article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olayemi Joseph Olajide
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Anatomy, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria, PMB 1515
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada H4B 1R6
| | - Marcus E Suvanto
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada H4B 1R6
| | - Clifton Andrew Chapman
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada H4B 1R6
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Anterolateral entorhinal cortex volume is associated with memory retention in clinically unimpaired older adults. Neurobiol Aging 2020; 98:134-145. [PMID: 33278686 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2020.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The entorhinal cortex is subdivided into anterolateral entorhinal cortex (alERC) and posteromedial entorhinal cortex (pmERC) subregions, which are theorized to support distinct cognitive roles. This distinction is particularly important as the alERC is one of the earliest cortical regions affected by Alzheimer's pathology and related neurodegeneration. The relative associations of alERC/pmERC with neuropsychological test performance have not been examined. We examined how alERC/pmERC volumes differentially relate to performance on 1) the Modified Rey Auditory Learning Test (ModRey), a verbal memory test designed to assess normal/preclinical populations, 2) the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and 3) the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center neuropsychological battery. We also examined whether alERC/pmERC volumes correlate with Alzheimer's disease cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers. In 65 cognitively healthy (CDR = 0) older adults, alERC, but not pmERC, volume was associated with ModRey memory retention. Only alERC volume differentiated between participants who scored above and below the MoCA cutoff score for impairment. Evaluating the MoCA subdomains revealed that alERC was particularly associated with verbal recall. On the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center battery, both alERC and pmERC volumes were associated with Craft story recall and Benson figure copy, but only alERC volume was associated with Craft story retention and semantic fluency. Neither alERC nor pmERC volume correlated with CSF levels of amyloid or tau, and regression analyses showed that alERC volume and CSF amyloid levels were independently associated with ModRey retention performance. Taken together, these results suggest that the alERC is important for memory performance and that alERC volume differences are related to a pattern of neuropsychological test performance (i.e., impairments in episodic memory and semantic fluency) typically seen in clinical Alzheimer's disease.
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Zdanovskis N, Platkājis A, Kostiks A, Karelis G. Structural Analysis of Brain Hub Region Volume and Cortical Thickness in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2020; 56:E497. [PMID: 32987734 PMCID: PMC7598588 DOI: 10.3390/medicina56100497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: A complex network of axonal pathways interlinks the human brain cortex. Brain networks are not distributed evenly, and brain regions making more connections with other parts are defined as brain hubs. Our objective was to analyze brain hub region volume and cortical thickness and determine the association with cognitive assessment scores in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included 11 patients (5 mild cognitive impairment; 6 dementia). All patients underwent neurological examination, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test scores were recorded. Scans with a 3T MRI scanner were done, and cortical thickness and volumetric data were acquired using Freesurfer 7.1.0 software. Results: By analyzing differences between the MCI and dementia groups, MCI patients had higher hippocampal volumes (p < 0.05) and left entorhinal cortex thickness (p < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between MoCA test scores and left hippocampus volume (r = 0.767, p < 0.01), right hippocampus volume (r = 0.785, p < 0.01), right precuneus cortical thickness (r = 0.648, p < 0.05), left entorhinal cortex thickness (r = 0.767, p < 0.01), and right entorhinal cortex thickness (r = 0.612, p < 0.05). Conclusions: In our study, hippocampal volume and entorhinal cortex showed significant differences in the MCI and dementia patient groups. Additionally, we found a statistically significant positive correlation between MoCA scores, hippocampal volume, entorhinal cortex thickness, and right precuneus. Although other brain hub regions did not show statistically significant differences, there should be additional research to evaluate the brain hub region association with MCI and dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nauris Zdanovskis
- Department of Radiology, Riga East University Hospital, Hipokrāta iela 2, LV-1038 Riga, Latvia;
- Department of Radiology, Riga Stradins University, Dzirciema iela 16, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
| | - Ardis Platkājis
- Department of Radiology, Riga East University Hospital, Hipokrāta iela 2, LV-1038 Riga, Latvia;
- Department of Radiology, Riga Stradins University, Dzirciema iela 16, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
| | - Andrejs Kostiks
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neurology, Riga East University Hospital, Hipokrāta iela 2, LV-1038 Riga, Latvia; (A.K.); (G.K.)
| | - Guntis Karelis
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neurology, Riga East University Hospital, Hipokrāta iela 2, LV-1038 Riga, Latvia; (A.K.); (G.K.)
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