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Mason SA, Al Saikhan L, Jones S, James SN, Murray-Smith H, Rapala A, Williams S, Sudre C, Wong B, Richards M, Fox NC, Hardy R, Schott JM, Chaturvedi N, Hughes AD. Association between carotid atherosclerosis and brain activation patterns during the Stroop task in older adults: An fNIRS investigation. Neuroimage 2022; 257:119302. [PMID: 35595200 PMCID: PMC10466022 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an increasing body of evidence suggesting that vascular disease could contribute to cognitive decline and overt dementia. Of particular interest is atherosclerosis, as it is not only associated with dementia, but could be a potential mechanism through which cardiovascular disease directly impacts brain health. In this work, we evaluated the differences in functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)-based measures of brain activation, task performance, and the change in central hemodynamics (mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR)) during a Stroop color-word task in individuals with atherosclerosis, defined as bilateral carotid plaques (n = 33) and healthy age-matched controls (n = 33). In the healthy control group, the left prefrontal cortex (LPFC) was the only region showing evidence of activation when comparing the incongruous with the nominal Stroop test. A smaller extent of brain activation was observed in the Plaque group compared with the healthy controls (1) globally, as measured by oxygenated hemoglobin (p = 0.036) and (2) in the LPFC (p = 0.02) and left sensorimotor cortices (LMC)(p = 0.008) as measured by deoxygenated hemoglobin. There were no significant differences in HR, MAP, or task performance (both in terms of the time required to complete the task and number of errors made) between Plaque and control groups. These results suggest that carotid atherosclerosis is associated with altered functional brain activation patterns despite no evidence of impaired performance of the Stroop task or central hemodynamic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Mason
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at University College London, Department of Population Science and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, United Kingdom.
| | - Lamia Al Saikhan
- Department of Cardiac Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, 2835 King Faisal Street, Damman, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Siana Jones
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at University College London, Department of Population Science and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah-Naomi James
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at University College London, Department of Population Science and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, United Kingdom; Dementia Research Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Heidi Murray-Smith
- Centre for Medical Image Computing, Department of Computer Science, University College London, London UK
| | - Alicja Rapala
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at University College London, Department of Population Science and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, United Kingdom
| | - Suzanne Williams
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at University College London, Department of Population Science and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, United Kingdom
| | - Carole Sudre
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at University College London, Department of Population Science and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, United Kingdom; Centre for Medical Image Computing, Department of Computer Science, University College London, London UK; School of Biomedical Engineering, King's College, London UK
| | - Brian Wong
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at University College London, Department of Population Science and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, United Kingdom
| | - Marcus Richards
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at University College London, Department of Population Science and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, United Kingdom
| | - Nick C Fox
- Dementia Research Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rebecca Hardy
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at University College London, Department of Population Science and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan M Schott
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at University College London, Department of Population Science and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, United Kingdom; Centre for Medical Image Computing, Department of Computer Science, University College London, London UK
| | - Nish Chaturvedi
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at University College London, Department of Population Science and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, United Kingdom
| | - Alun D Hughes
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at University College London, Department of Population Science and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, United Kingdom.
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2
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Oishi K, Soldan A, Pettigrew C, Hsu J, Mori S, Albert M, Oishi K. Changes in pairwise functional connectivity associated with changes in cognitive performance in cognitively normal older individuals: A two-year observational study. Neurosci Lett 2022; 781:136618. [PMID: 35398188 PMCID: PMC9990522 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2022.136618] [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: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Neurobiological substrates of cognitive decline in cognitively normal older individuals have been investigated by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, but little is known about the relationship between longitudinal changes in the whole brain. In this study, we examined two-year changes in functional connectivity among 80 gray matter areas and investigated the relationship to two-year changes in cognitive performance. A cross-validated permutation variable importance measure was applied to select features related to a change in cognitive performance. Age-corrected changes in eleven pairs of functional connections were selected as important features, all related to brain areas that belong to the default mode network. A linear regression model with cross-validation demonstrated a mean correlation coefficient of 0.55 between measured and predicted changes in the cognitive composite score. These results suggest that intra- and inter-network connections in the default mode network are associated with cognitive changes over two years among cognitively normal individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumiko Oishi
- Center for Imaging Science, The Johns Hopkins University, Whiting School of Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anja Soldan
- Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Corinne Pettigrew
- Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Johnny Hsu
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Susumu Mori
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Marilyn Albert
- Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kenichi Oishi
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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3
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Chen Y, Tang JH, De Stefano LA, Wenger MJ, Ding L, Craft MA, Carlson BW, Yuan H. Electrophysiological resting state brain network and episodic memory in healthy aging adults. Neuroimage 2022; 253:118926. [PMID: 35066158 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.118926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have emphasized the changes in large-scale brain networks related to healthy aging, with the ultimate purpose to aid in differentiating normal neurocognitive aging from neurodegenerative disorders that also arise with age. Emerging evidence from functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) indicates that connectivity patterns within specific brain networks, especially the Default Mode Network (DMN), distinguish those with Alzheimer's disease from healthy individuals. In addition, disruptive alterations in the large-scale brain systems that support high-level cognition are shown to accompany cognitive decline at the behavioral level, which is commonly observed in the aging populations, even in the absence of disease. Although fMRI is useful for assessing functional changes in brain networks, its high costs and limited accessibility discourage studies that need large populations. In this study, we investigated the aging-effect on large-scale networks of the human brain using high-density electroencephalography and electrophysiological source imaging, which is a less costly and more accessible alternative to fMRI. In particular, our study examined a group of healthy subjects in the age range from middle- to older-aged adults, which is an under-studied range in the literature. Employing a high-resolution computation model, our results revealed age associations in the connectivity pattern of DMN in a consistent manner with previous fMRI findings. Particularly, in combination with a standard battery of cognitive tests, our data showed that in the posterior cingulate / precuneus area of DMN higher brain connectivity was associated with lower performance on an episodic memory task. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of using electrophysiological imaging to characterize large-scale brain networks and suggest that changes in network connectivity are associated with normal aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Chen
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
| | - Julia H Tang
- Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
| | - Lisa A De Stefano
- Department of Psychology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States; Graduate Program in Cellular and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
| | - Michael J Wenger
- Department of Psychology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States; Graduate Program in Cellular and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
| | - Lei Ding
- Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States; Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Technology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
| | - Melissa A Craft
- Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Barbara W Carlson
- Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Han Yuan
- Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States; Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Technology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States.
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4
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Noriega de la Colina A, Badji A, Robitaille-Grou MC, Gagnon C, Boshkovski T, Lamarre-Cliche M, Joubert S, Gauthier CJ, Bherer L, Cohen-Adad J, Girouard H. Associations Between Relative Morning Blood Pressure, Cerebral Blood Flow, and Memory in Older Adults Treated and Controlled for Hypertension. Hypertension 2021; 77:1703-1713. [PMID: 33775122 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.120.16124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Noriega de la Colina
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), Montreal, QC, Canada (A.N.C. A.B., M.-C.R.-G., C.G., L.B., J.C.-A., H.G.).,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine (A.N.C.), Université de Montreal, QC, Canada.,Montreal Heart Institute (MHI), Montreal, QC, Canada (A.N.C., C.G., C.J.G., L.B.).,Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central (GRSNC) (A.N.C., A.B., J.C.-A., H.G.).,Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche sur le cerveau et l'apprentissage (CIRCA) (A.N.C., A.B., H.G.)
| | - Atef Badji
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), Montreal, QC, Canada (A.N.C. A.B., M.-C.R.-G., C.G., L.B., J.C.-A., H.G.).,Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine (A.B.), Université de Montreal, QC, Canada.,NeuroPoly Laboratory, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, QC, Canada (A.B., T.B., J.C.-A.).,Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central (GRSNC) (A.N.C., A.B., J.C.-A., H.G.).,Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche sur le cerveau et l'apprentissage (CIRCA) (A.N.C., A.B., H.G.)
| | - Marie-Christine Robitaille-Grou
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), Montreal, QC, Canada (A.N.C. A.B., M.-C.R.-G., C.G., L.B., J.C.-A., H.G.)
| | - Christine Gagnon
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), Montreal, QC, Canada (A.N.C. A.B., M.-C.R.-G., C.G., L.B., J.C.-A., H.G.).,Montreal Heart Institute (MHI), Montreal, QC, Canada (A.N.C., C.G., C.J.G., L.B.)
| | - Tommy Boshkovski
- NeuroPoly Laboratory, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, QC, Canada (A.B., T.B., J.C.-A.)
| | - Maxime Lamarre-Cliche
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal (IRCM) (M.L.-C.), Université de Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sven Joubert
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences (S.J.), Université de Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Claudine J Gauthier
- Department of Physics (C.J.G.), Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,PERFORM Centre (C.J.G.), Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Louis Bherer
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), Montreal, QC, Canada (A.N.C. A.B., M.-C.R.-G., C.G., L.B., J.C.-A., H.G.).,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine (L.B.), Université de Montreal, QC, Canada.,Montreal Heart Institute (MHI), Montreal, QC, Canada (A.N.C., C.G., C.J.G., L.B.)
| | - Julien Cohen-Adad
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), Montreal, QC, Canada (A.N.C. A.B., M.-C.R.-G., C.G., L.B., J.C.-A., H.G.).,NeuroPoly Laboratory, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, QC, Canada (A.B., T.B., J.C.-A.).,Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central (GRSNC) (A.N.C., A.B., J.C.-A., H.G.)
| | - Hélène Girouard
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), Montreal, QC, Canada (A.N.C. A.B., M.-C.R.-G., C.G., L.B., J.C.-A., H.G.).,Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine (H.G.), Université de Montreal, QC, Canada.,Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central (GRSNC) (A.N.C., A.B., J.C.-A., H.G.).,Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche sur le cerveau et l'apprentissage (CIRCA) (A.N.C., A.B., H.G.)
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5
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Mason SA, Al Saikhan L, Jones S, Bale G, James SN, Murray-Smith H, Rapala A, Williams S, Wong B, Richards M, Fox NC, Hardy R, Schott JM, Chaturvedi N, Hughes AD. Study Protocol - Insight 46 Cardiovascular: A Sub-study of the MRC National Survey of Health and Development. Artery Res 2020; 26:170-179. [PMID: 32879639 DOI: 10.2991/artres.k.200417.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The commonest causes of dementia are Alzheimer's disease and vascular cognitive impairment. Although these conditions have been viewed as distinct entities, there is increasing evidence that neurodegenerative and vascular pathologies interact or overlap to cause cognitive decline, and that at least in some cases individuals at risk of cognitive decline exhibit abnormal cardiovascular physiology long before emergence of disease. However, the mechanisms linking haemodynamic disturbances with cognitive impairment and the various pathologies that cause dementia are poorly understood. A sub-sample of 502 participants from the Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD) have participated in the first visit of a neuroscience sub-study referred to as Insight 46, where clinical, cognitive, imaging, and lifestyle data have been collected for the purpose of elucidating the pathological changes preceding dementia. This paper outlines the cardiovascular phenotyping performed in the follow-up visit of Insight 46, with the study participants now aged 74. In addition to standard cardiovascular assessments such as blood pressure measurements, echocardiography, and electrocardiography (ECG), functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) has been included to provide an assessment of cerebrovascular function. A detailed description of the fNIRS protocol along with preliminary results from pilot data is presented. The combination of lifestyle data, brain structure/function, cognitive performance, and cardiovascular health obtained not only from Insight 46, but also from the whole NSHD provides an exciting opportunity to advance our understanding of the cardiovascular mechanisms underlying dementia and cognitive decline, and identify novel targets for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Ann Mason
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, Department of Population Science & Experimental Medicine, UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Lamia Al Saikhan
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, Department of Population Science & Experimental Medicine, UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Cardiac Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, 2835 King Faisal Street, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Siana Jones
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, Department of Population Science & Experimental Medicine, UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Gemma Bale
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sarah-Naomi James
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, Department of Population Science & Experimental Medicine, UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK.,Dementia Research Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Heidi Murray-Smith
- Dementia Research Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alicja Rapala
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, Department of Population Science & Experimental Medicine, UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Suzanne Williams
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, Department of Population Science & Experimental Medicine, UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Brian Wong
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, Department of Population Science & Experimental Medicine, UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Marcus Richards
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, Department of Population Science & Experimental Medicine, UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nick C Fox
- Dementia Research Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rebecca Hardy
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, Department of Population Science & Experimental Medicine, UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jonathan M Schott
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, Department of Population Science & Experimental Medicine, UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK.,Dementia Research Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nish Chaturvedi
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, Department of Population Science & Experimental Medicine, UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alun D Hughes
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, Department of Population Science & Experimental Medicine, UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK
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6
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McDonough IM, Festini SB, Wood MM. Risk for Alzheimer's disease: A review of long-term episodic memory encoding and retrieval fMRI studies. Ageing Res Rev 2020; 62:101133. [PMID: 32717407 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2020.101133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Many risk factors have been identified that predict future progression to Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, clear links have yet to be made between these risk factors and how they affect brain functioning in early stages of AD. We conducted a narrative review and a quantitative analysis to better understand the relationship between nine categories of AD risk (i.e., brain pathology, genetics/family history, vascular health, head trauma, cognitive decline, engagement in daily life, late-life depression, sex/gender, and ethnoracial group) and task-evoked fMRI activity during episodic memory in cognitively-normal older adults. Our narrative review revealed widespread regional alterations of both greater and lower brain activity with AD risk. Nevertheless, our quantitative analysis revealed that a subset of studies converged on two patterns: AD risk was associated with (1) greater brain activity in frontal and parietal regions, but (2) reduced brain activity in hippocampal and occipital regions. The brain regions affected depended on the assessed memory stage (encoding or retrieval). Although the results clearly indicate that AD risks impact brain activity, we caution against using fMRI as a diagnostic tool for AD at the current time because the above consistencies were present among much variability, even among the same risk factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian M McDonough
- Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama, BOX 870348, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA.
| | - Sara B Festini
- Department of Psychology, University of Tampa, 401 W Kennedy Blvd. Tampa, FL 33606, USA
| | - Meagan M Wood
- Department of Psychology, Valdosta State University, 1500 N. Patterson Street, Valdosta, GA 31698, USA
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7
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Keage HAD, Feuerriegel D, Greaves D, Tregoweth E, Coussens S, Smith AE. Increasing Objective Cardiometabolic Burden Associated With Attenuations in the P3b Event-Related Potential Component in Older Adults. Front Neurol 2020; 11:643. [PMID: 32903798 PMCID: PMC7438865 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiometabolic diseases and risk factors increase the risk of late-life cognitive impairment and dementia and have also been associated with detrimental gray and white matter changes. However, the functional brain changes associated with cardiometabolic health in late-life are unclear. We sought to characterize these functional changes by recording event-related potentials (ERPs) during an n-back working memory task (0, 1, and 2 back) in 85 adults (60% female) between 50 and 80 years of age. Due to a stratified recruitment approach, participants varied widely in relation to cognitive function and cardiometabolic health. Standard and objective cut-offs for high blood glucose, waist to hip ratio (i.e., obesity), high blood cholesterol, and hypertension were employed to generate a summative score for cardiometabolic burden (none, one, or two or more above cut-off). Mixed effects modeling (covarying for age and gender) revealed no statistically significant associations between cardiometabolic burden and visual P1 and N1 component amplitudes. There was a significant effect for the P3b component: as cardiometabolic burden increased, P3b amplitude decreased. We show that cardiometabolic factors related to the development of cognitive impairment and dementia in late-life associate with brain activity, as recorded via ERPs. Findings have relevance for the monitoring of lifestyle interventions (typically targeting cardiometabolic factors) in aging, as ERPs may provide a more sensitive measure of change than cognitive performance. Further, our results raise questions related to the findings of a broad range of ERP studies where the groups compared may differ in their cardiometabolic health status (not only in psychological symptomatology).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah A. D. Keage
- Cognitive Ageing and Impairment Neurosciences Laboratory, Justice and Society, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Daniel Feuerriegel
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Danielle Greaves
- Cognitive Ageing and Impairment Neurosciences Laboratory, Justice and Society, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Emma Tregoweth
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Scott Coussens
- Cognitive Ageing and Impairment Neurosciences Laboratory, Justice and Society, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Ashleigh E. Smith
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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8
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McDonough IM, Letang SK, Stinson EA. Dementia Risk Elevates Brain Activity During Memory Retrieval: A Functional MRI Analysis of Middle Aged and Older Adults. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 70:1005-1023. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-190035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ian M. McDonough
- Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Sarah K. Letang
- Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
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9
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The Lifespan Human Connectome Project in Aging: An overview. Neuroimage 2018; 185:335-348. [PMID: 30332613 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The original Human Connectome Project yielded a rich data set on structural and functional connectivity in a large sample of healthy young adults using improved methods of data acquisition, analysis, and sharing. More recent efforts are extending this approach to include infants, children, older adults, and brain disorders. This paper introduces and describes the Human Connectome Project in Aging (HCP-A), which is currently recruiting 1200 + healthy adults aged 36 to 100+, with a subset of 600 + participants returning for longitudinal assessment. Four acquisition sites using matched Siemens Prisma 3T MRI scanners with centralized quality control and data analysis are enrolling participants. Data are acquired across multimodal imaging and behavioral domains with a focus on factors known to be altered in advanced aging. MRI acquisitions include structural (whole brain and high resolution hippocampal) plus multiband resting state functional (rfMRI), task fMRI (tfMRI), diffusion MRI (dMRI), and arterial spin labeling (ASL). Behavioral characterization includes cognitive (such as processing speed and episodic memory), psychiatric, metabolic, and socioeconomic measures as well as assessment of systemic health (with a focus on menopause via hormonal assays). This dataset will provide a unique resource for examining how brain organization and connectivity changes across typical aging, and how these differences relate to key characteristics of aging including alterations in hormonal status and declining memory and general cognition. A primary goal of the HCP-A is to make these data freely available to the scientific community, supported by the Connectome Coordination Facility (CCF) platform for data quality assurance, preprocessing and basic analysis, and shared via the NIMH Data Archive (NDA). Here we provide the rationale for our study design and sufficient details of the resource for scientists to plan future analyses of these data. A companion paper describes the related Human Connectome Project in Development (HCP-D, Somerville et al., 2018), and the image acquisition protocol common to both studies (Harms et al., 2018).
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10
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Chen H, Su F, Ye Q, Wang Z, Shu H, Bai F. The Dose-Dependent Effects of Vascular Risk Factors on Dynamic Compensatory Neural Processes in Mild Cognitive Impairment. Front Aging Neurosci 2018; 10:131. [PMID: 29867442 PMCID: PMC5951955 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has been associated with risk for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Previous investigations have suggested that vascular risk factors (VRFs) were associated with cognitive decline and AD pathogenesis, and the intervention of VRFs may be a possible way to prevent dementia. However, in MCI, little is known about the potential impacts of VRFs on neural networks and their neural substrates, which may be a neuroimaging biomarker of the disease progression. Methods: 128 elderly Han Chinese participants (67 MCI subjects and 61 matched normal elderly) with or without VRFs (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, smoking and alcohol drinking) underwent the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and neuropsychological tests. We obtained the default mode network (DMN) to identify alterations in MCI with the varying number of the VRF and analyzed the significant correlation with behavioral performance. Results: The effects of VRF on the DMN were primarily in bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) (i.e., middle frontal gyrus). Normal elderly showed the gradually increased functional activity of DLPFC, while a fluctuant activation of DLPFC was displayed in MCI with the growing number of the VRF. Interestingly, the left DLPFC further displayed significantly dynamic correlation with executive function as the variation of VRF loading. Initial level of compensation was observed in normal aging and none-vascular risk factor (NVRF) MCI, while these compensatory neural processes were suppressed in One-VRF MCI and were subsequently re-aroused in Over-One-VRF MCI. Conclusions: These findings suggested that the dose-dependent effects of VRF on DLPFC were highlighted in MCI, and the dynamic compensatory neural processes that fluctuated along with variations of VRF loading could be key role in the progression of MCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haifeng Chen
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fan Su
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qing Ye
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Shu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng Bai
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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Compensatory functional reorganization may precede hypertension-related brain damage and cognitive decline: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study. J Hypertens 2017; 35:1252-1262. [PMID: 28169883 PMCID: PMC5404398 DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000001293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Objectives: Our study aimed at exploring structural and functional differences in the brain during higher cognitive processing between middle-aged hypertensive patients and controls matched for sex, age and years of education. Methods: Two groups of 20 patients took part in MRI examinations. This article reports the results of functional MRI during a Stroop color interference task and structural evaluations based on a modified Fazekas scale. Results: No intergroup differences were found in regards to the severity of white matter lesions (Mann–Whitney U test = 150.5, P > 0.1), nor from the task performance in the scanner (t(35) = 0.2, P > 0.1). However, brain activation patterns between patients and controls varied. Hypertensive patients involved significantly more cerebral areas during the processing, regardless of the task difficulty. Differences were found in 26 diverse regions of both primary and associative cortices (with a peak voxel located in the cuneus, Z = 6.94, P < 0.05 family-wise error corrected at voxel level). Conclusion: Our findings provide an insight into the brain mechanisms related to essential hypertension and suggest a functional reorganization (neuroplasticity) early in the course of the disease.
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12
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Raji CA, Eyre H, Wei SH, Bredesen DE, Moylan S, Law M, Small G, Thompson PM, Friedlander RM, Silverman DH, Baune BT, Hoang TA, Salamon N, Toga AW, Vernooij MW. Hot Topics in Research: Preventive Neuroradiology in Brain Aging and Cognitive Decline. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2015; 36:1803-9. [PMID: 26045577 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a4409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Preventive neuroradiology is a new concept supported by growing literature. The main rationale of preventive neuroradiology is the application of multimodal brain imaging toward early and subclinical detection of brain disease and subsequent preventive actions through identification of modifiable risk factors. An insightful example of this is in the area of age-related cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia with potentially modifiable risk factors such as obesity, diet, sleep, hypertension, diabetes, depression, supplementation, smoking, and physical activity. In studying this link between lifestyle and cognitive decline, brain imaging markers may be instrumental as quantitative measures or even indicators of early disease. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the major studies reflecting how lifestyle factors affect the brain and cognition aging. In this hot topics review, we will specifically focus on obesity and physical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Raji
- From the Departments of Radiology (C.A.R., S.H.W., T.A.H., N.S.)
| | - H Eyre
- Psychiatry (H.E., G.S.) Discipline of Psychiatry (H.E., B.T.B.), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - S H Wei
- From the Departments of Radiology (C.A.R., S.H.W., T.A.H., N.S.)
| | | | - S Moylan
- School of Medicine (S.M.), Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - M Law
- Department of Radiology (M.L.)
| | | | - P M Thompson
- Laboratory of Neuroimaging (P.M.T., A.W.T.), University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - R M Friedlander
- Department of Neurosurgery (R.M.F.), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - D H Silverman
- Nuclear Medicine (D.H.S.), University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - B T Baune
- Discipline of Psychiatry (H.E., B.T.B.), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - T A Hoang
- From the Departments of Radiology (C.A.R., S.H.W., T.A.H., N.S.)
| | - N Salamon
- From the Departments of Radiology (C.A.R., S.H.W., T.A.H., N.S.)
| | - A W Toga
- Laboratory of Neuroimaging (P.M.T., A.W.T.), University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - M W Vernooij
- Departments of Radiology and Epidemiology (M.W.V.), Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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13
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Ward AM, Mormino EC, Huijbers W, Schultz AP, Hedden T, Sperling RA. Relationships between default-mode network connectivity, medial temporal lobe structure, and age-related memory deficits. Neurobiol Aging 2015; 36:265-72. [PMID: 25113793 PMCID: PMC4268379 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2014.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2014] [Revised: 06/17/2014] [Accepted: 06/28/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Advanced aging negatively impacts memory performance. Brain aging has been associated with shrinkage in medial temporal lobe structures essential for memory--including hippocampus and entorhinal cortex--and with deficits in default-mode network connectivity. Yet, whether and how these imaging markers are relevant to age-related memory deficits remains a topic of debate. Using a sample of 182 older (age 74.6 ± 6.2 years) and 66 young (age 22.2 ± 3.6 years) participants, this study examined relationships among memory performance, hippocampus volume, entorhinal cortex thickness, and default-mode network connectivity across aging. All imaging markers and memory were significantly different between young and older groups. Each imaging marker significantly mediated the relationship between age and memory performance and collectively accounted for most of the variance in age-related memory performance. Within older participants, default-mode connectivity and hippocampus volume were independently associated with memory. Structural equation modeling of cross-sectional data within older participants suggest that entorhinal thinning may occur before reduced default-mode connectivity and hippocampal volume loss, which in turn lead to deficits in memory performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Ward
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth C Mormino
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Willem Huijbers
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Aaron P Schultz
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Trey Hedden
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, USA; Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Reisa A Sperling
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, USA; Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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14
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Hayes SM, Alosco ML, Forman DE. The Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive and Neural Decline in Aging and Cardiovascular Disease. CURRENT GERIATRICS REPORTS 2014; 3:282-290. [PMID: 25750853 DOI: 10.1007/s13670-014-0101-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Aging is characterized by a decline in cognitive functions, particularly in the domains of executive function, processing speed and episodic memory. These age-related declines are exacerbated by cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, obesity, elevated total cholesterol). Structural and functional alterations in brain regions, including the fronto-parietal and medial temporal lobes, have been linked to age- and CVD-related cognitive decline. Multiple recent studies indicate that aerobic exercise programs may slow the progression of age-related neural changes and reduce the risk for mild cognitive impairment as well as dementia. We review age- and CVD-related decline in cognition and the underlying changes in brain morphology and function, and then clarify the impact of aerobic exercise on moderating these patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott M Hayes
- Memory Disorders Research Center (151A), VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University School of Medicine, 150 South Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130, USA; Neuroimaging Research for Veterans Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael L Alosco
- Memory Disorders Research Center (151A), VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University School of Medicine, 150 South Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130, USA; Department of Psychological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
| | - Daniel E Forman
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Geriatric Cardiology Section, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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15
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Meusel LAC, Kansal N, Tchistiakova E, Yuen W, MacIntosh BJ, Greenwood CE, Anderson ND. A systematic review of type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension in imaging studies of cognitive aging: time to establish new norms. Front Aging Neurosci 2014; 6:148. [PMID: 25071557 PMCID: PMC4085499 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2014.00148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2014] [Accepted: 06/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and hypertension in older adults, and the deleterious effect of these conditions on cerebrovascular and brain health, is creating a growing discrepancy between the "typical" cognitive aging trajectory and a "healthy" cognitive aging trajectory. These changing health demographics make T2DM and hypertension important topics of study in their own right, and warrant attention from the perspective of cognitive aging neuroimaging research. Specifically, interpretation of individual or group differences in blood oxygenation level dependent magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD MRI) or positron emission tomography (PET H2O(15)) signals as reflective of differences in neural activation underlying a cognitive operation of interest requires assumptions of intact vascular health amongst the study participants. Without adequate screening, inclusion of individuals with T2DM or hypertension in "healthy" samples may introduce unwanted variability and bias to brain and/or cognitive measures, and increase potential for error. We conducted a systematic review of the cognitive aging neuroimaging literature to document the extent to which researchers account for these conditions. Of the 232 studies selected for review, few explicitly excluded individuals with T2DM (9%) or hypertension (13%). A large portion had exclusion criteria that made it difficult to determine whether T2DM or hypertension were excluded (44 and 37%), and many did not mention any selection criteria related to T2DM or hypertension (34 and 22%). Of all the surveyed studies, only 29% acknowledged or addressed the potential influence of intersubject vascular variability on the measured BOLD or PET signals. To reinforce the notion that individuals with T2DM and hypertension should not be overlooked as a potential source of bias, we also provide an overview of metabolic and vascular changes associated with T2DM and hypertension, as they relate to cerebrovascular and brain health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nisha Kansal
- Baycrest Centre, Rotman Research Institute Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ekaterina Tchistiakova
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Heart and Stroke Foundation Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery Toronto, ON, Canada ; Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - William Yuen
- Baycrest Centre, Rotman Research Institute Toronto, ON, Canada ; Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bradley J MacIntosh
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Heart and Stroke Foundation Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery Toronto, ON, Canada ; Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Carol E Greenwood
- Baycrest Centre, Rotman Research Institute Toronto, ON, Canada ; Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nicole D Anderson
- Baycrest Centre, Rotman Research Institute Toronto, ON, Canada ; Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Toronto Toronto, ON, Canada
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16
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Bangen KJ, Nation DA, Clark LR, Harmell AL, Wierenga CE, Dev SI, Delano-Wood L, Zlatar ZZ, Salmon DP, Liu TT, Bondi MW. Interactive effects of vascular risk burden and advanced age on cerebral blood flow. Front Aging Neurosci 2014; 6:159. [PMID: 25071567 PMCID: PMC4083452 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2014.00159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 06/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular risk factors and cerebral blood flow (CBF) reduction have been linked to increased risk of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease (AD); however the possible moderating effects of age and vascular risk burden on CBF in late life remain understudied. We examined the relationships among elevated vascular risk burden, age, CBF, and cognition. Seventy-one non-demented older adults completed an arterial spin labeling MR scan, neuropsychological assessment, and medical history interview. Relationships among vascular risk burden, age, and CBF were examined in a priori regions of interest (ROIs) previously implicated in aging and AD. Interaction effects indicated that, among older adults with elevated vascular risk burden (i.e., multiple vascular risk factors), advancing age was significantly associated with reduced cortical CBF whereas there was no such relationship for those with low vascular risk burden (i.e., no or one vascular risk factor). This pattern was observed in cortical ROIs including medial temporal (hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, uncus), inferior parietal (supramarginal gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, angular gyrus), and frontal (anterior cingulate, middle frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus) cortices. Furthermore, among those with elevated vascular risk, reduced CBF was associated with poorer cognitive performance. Such findings suggest that older adults with elevated vascular risk burden may be particularly vulnerable to cognitive change as a function of CBF reductions. Findings support the use of CBF as a potential biomarker in preclinical AD and suggest that vascular risk burden and regionally-specific CBF changes may contribute to differential age-related cognitive declines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine J Bangen
- Psychology Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System San Diego, CA, USA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Daniel A Nation
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lindsay R Clark
- San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University/University of California San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Alexandrea L Harmell
- San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University/University of California San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Christina E Wierenga
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego La Jolla, CA, USA ; Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Sheena I Dev
- San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University/University of California San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Lisa Delano-Wood
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego La Jolla, CA, USA ; Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Zvinka Z Zlatar
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - David P Salmon
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Thomas T Liu
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mark W Bondi
- Psychology Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System San Diego, CA, USA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego La Jolla, CA, USA
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17
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Gonzales MM, Tarumi T, Mumford JA, Ellis RC, Hungate JR, Pyron M, Tanaka H, Haley AP. Greater BOLD response to working memory in endurance-trained adults revealed by breath-hold calibration. Hum Brain Mapp 2014; 35:2898-910. [PMID: 24038949 PMCID: PMC6869752 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.22372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2013] [Revised: 07/02/2013] [Accepted: 07/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with increased frontal and parietal activation during executive function tasks. While these findings suggest fitness-related enhancement of neuronal response, the utility of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) may be limited by potential fitness-related differences in global vascular reactivity. The aim of this study was to determine if highly fit adults display differential activation during working memory after calibration for vascular reactivity relative to their sedentary counterparts. METHODS Thirty-two endurance-trained and 24 sedentary adults, aged 40-65 years, completed a 2-Back verbal working memory task and a breath-hold challenge during fMRI. Group differences in blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) response during working memory were examined across the whole brain and in a priori regions of interest (ROI) before and after breath-hold calibration using non-parametric permutation testing. Multiple regression was used to explore the association between cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2 max), age, and calibrated 2-Back-related activation within the one a priori ROI with significant group effects. RESULTS In comparison to the endurance-trained group, the sedentary group exhibited greater BOLD signal changes in response to the breath-hold task. After, but not before calibration, the endurance-trained group displayed significantly higher 2-Back-related activation in the right middle frontal gyrus (P = 0.049). Older age predicted lower 2-Back-related activation (ß = -0.308, P = 0.031), whereas fitness predicted higher activation (ß = 0.372, P = 0.021) in this region. CONCLUSIONS Breath-hold calibration increased detection of working memory-related BOLD response differences between sedentary and endurance-trained adults. Moreover, cardiorespiratory fitness appeared to mitigate age-related changes in BOLD during working memory in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitzi M. Gonzales
- Department of PsychologyThe University of Texas at AustinAustinTexas
| | - Takashi Tarumi
- Department of Kinesiology and Health EducationThe University of Texas at AustinAustinTexas
| | - Jeanette A. Mumford
- Department of PsychologyThe University of Texas at AustinAustinTexas
- University of Texas Imaging Research CenterAustinTexas
| | - Ryan C. Ellis
- Department of PsychologyThe University of Texas at AustinAustinTexas
| | | | - Martha Pyron
- Department of Kinesiology and Health EducationThe University of Texas at AustinAustinTexas
- Medicine in Motion13805 Research Blvd, Ste 150AustinTexas
| | - Hirofumi Tanaka
- Department of Kinesiology and Health EducationThe University of Texas at AustinAustinTexas
| | - Andreana P. Haley
- Department of PsychologyThe University of Texas at AustinAustinTexas
- University of Texas Imaging Research CenterAustinTexas
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18
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Central adiposity and the functional magnetic resonance imaging response to cognitive challenge. Int J Obes (Lond) 2014; 38:1193-9. [PMID: 24418893 PMCID: PMC4097967 DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2014.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2013] [Revised: 12/17/2013] [Accepted: 12/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Excessive adipose tissue, particularly with a centralized distribution, propagates hormonal and metabolic disturbance. The detrimental effects of adiposity may extend beyond the periphery and target the central nervous system, increasing vulnerability to cognitive decline. The aim of current study was to determine how central adiposity impacts the brain at midlife by examining the blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) response to a challenging cognitive task. Methods Seventy-three adults, aged 40-60 years, completed a 2-Back verbal working memory task during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Central adiposity was assessed with waist circumference. The association between waist circumference and task-related activation in a priori regions of interest was modeled using bootstrapping regression models corrected for multiple-comparisons. Results Larger waist circumference was associated with diminished working-memory-related BOLD response in the right superior frontal gyrus (β=-0.008, p=0.001, 95% CI: -0.012 - -0.004) and left middle frontal gyrus (β=-0.009, p=0.002, 95% CI: -0.015 - -0.003), statistically adjusting for age, sex, systolic blood pressure, and total cholesterol. Reduced task-related activation in the right superior frontal gyrus (r=-0.369, p=0.002) and left middle frontal gyrus (r=-0.266, p=0.025) were related to slower reaction time on the task, controlling for age and education. Conclusions Larger waist circumference predicted alterations in the BOLD response that coupled with decrements in task performance. While future studies are necessary, the results suggest that similar to its role in the periphery, central adiposity may be a robust predictor of metabolic and hormonal alterations that impinge upon central nervous system functioning.
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Merrill DA, Siddarth P, Kepe V, Raja PV, Saito N, Ercoli LM, Miller KJ, Lavretsky H, Bookheimer SY, Barrio JR, Small GW. Vascular risk and FDDNP-PET influence cognitive performance. J Alzheimers Dis 2013; 35:147-57. [PMID: 23380994 DOI: 10.3233/jad-121903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The relationship of cerebrovascular risk and Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology to cognition in pre-dementia has been extensively investigated and is well-established. Cerebrovascular risk can be measured using a Framingham Stroke Risk Profile (FSRP) score, while positron emission tomography (PET) scans with 2-(1-{6-[(2-[F-18]fluoroethyl)(methyl)amino]-2-naphthyl}ethylidene)malononitrile (FDDNP) measure AD neuropathology (i.e., amyloid-β plaques and tau tangles). Here we report results of 75 healthy non-demented subjects (mean age, 63 years) who underwent neuropsychological testing, physical assessments, and FDDNP-PET scans. Controlling for AD family history, education, and APOE4 status in a general linear model, higher FSRP risk and global FDDNP-PET binding were each associated with poorer cognitive functioning. The interaction of FSRP and global FDDNP-PET binding was not significant in the model, indicating that stroke risk and plaque and tangle burden each contributed to worse cognitive performance. Within our healthy volunteers, age, blood pressure, and antihypertensive medication use were vascular risks that contributed significantly to the above findings. These findings suggest that even mild cerebrovascular risk may influence the extent of cognitive dysfunction in pre-dementia, along with amyloid-β and tau burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Merrill
- Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, and Longevity Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Chuang YF, Eldreth D, Erickson KI, Varma V, Harris G, Fried LP, Rebok GW, Tanner EK, Carlson MC. Cardiovascular risks and brain function: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study of executive function in older adults. Neurobiol Aging 2013; 35:1396-403. [PMID: 24439485 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2013.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2013] [Revised: 12/09/2013] [Accepted: 12/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia are associated with cognitive impairment and risk of dementia in older adults. However, the mechanisms linking them are not clear. This study aims to investigate the association between aggregate CV risk, assessed by the Framingham general cardiovascular risk profile, and functional brain activation in a group of community-dwelling older adults. Sixty participants (mean age: 64.6 years) from the Brain Health Study, a nested study of the Baltimore Experience Corps Trial, underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging using the Flanker task. We found that participants with higher CV risk had greater task-related activation in the left inferior parietal region, and this increased activation was associated with poorer task performance. Our results provide insights into the neural systems underlying the relationship between CV risk and executive function. Increased activation of the inferior parietal region may offer a pathway through which CV risk increases risk for cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Fang Chuang
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Dana Eldreth
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Vijay Varma
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Johns Hopkins Center on Aging and Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gregory Harris
- Johns Hopkins Center on Aging and Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Linda P Fried
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - George W Rebok
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Johns Hopkins Center on Aging and Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elizabeth K Tanner
- Johns Hopkins Center on Aging and Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Schools of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michelle C Carlson
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Johns Hopkins Center on Aging and Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Guo J, Wang S, Li R, Chen N, Zhou M, Chen H, Gong Q, He L. Cognitive impairment and whole brain diffusion in patients with carotid artery disease and ipsilateral transient ischemic attack. Neurol Res 2013; 36:41-6. [DOI: 10.1179/1743132813y.0000000255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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Braskie MN, Toga AW, Thompson PM. Recent advances in imaging Alzheimer's disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2013; 33 Suppl 1:S313-27. [PMID: 22672880 DOI: 10.3233/jad-2012-129016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Advances in brain imaging technology in the past five years have contributed greatly to the understanding of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we review recent research related to amyloid imaging, new methods for magnetic resonance imaging analyses, and statistical methods. We also review research that evaluates AD risk factors and brain imaging, in the context of AD prediction and progression. We selected a variety of illustrative studies, describing how they advanced the field and are leading AD research in promising new directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith N Braskie
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7334, USA
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Guidotti Breting LM, Tuminello ER, Duke Han S. Functional neuroimaging studies in normal aging. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2012; 10:91-111. [PMID: 21751096 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2011_139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
With an expanding aging population, it is increasingly important to gain a better understanding of the changes in cognition and neural integrity that occur in normal aging. The advent of non-invasive functional neuroimaging techniques has spurred researchers to examine cognition and neural functioning in healthy older adults. A significant amount of research has been produced since this time and has led to influential theories of aging such as the hemispheric asymmetry reduction for older adults (HAROLD) model and the compensatory recruitment hypothesis. This chapter discusses advances in our understanding of normal aging achieved through the use of functional neuroimaging. Research examining age-related changes in domains such as attention, memory, and executive functioning, as well as imaging of the resting-state and the influences of genetic risk factors (e.g., APOE genotype), are discussed. In conclusion, limitations of the current literature and important avenues for future research are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie M Guidotti Breting
- Department of Psychiarty and Behavioral Sciences, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
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