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Adhikari S, Qiao Y, Singer M, Sagare A, Jiang X, Shi Y, Ringman JM, Kashani AH. Retinotopic degeneration of the retina and optic tracts in autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:5103-5113. [PMID: 37102308 PMCID: PMC10603214 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13100] [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: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We investigated the correlation between retinal thickness and optic tract integrity in subjects with autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD) causing mutations. METHODS Retinal thicknesses and diffusion tensor images (DTI) were obtained using optical coherence tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, respectively. The association between retinal thickness and DTI measures was adjusted for age, sex, retinotopy, and correlation between eyes. RESULTS Optic tract mean diffusivity and axial diffusivity were negatively correlated with retinotopically defined ganglion cell inner plexiform thickness (GCIPL). Fractional anisotropy was negatively correlated with retinotopically defined retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. There was no correlation between outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness and any DTI measure. DISCUSSION In ADAD, GCIPL thickness is significantly associated with retinotopic optic tract DTI measures even in minimally symptomatic subjects. Similar associations were not present with ONL thickness or when ignoring retinotopy. We provide in vivo evidence for optic tract changes resulting from ganglion cell pathology in ADAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Adhikari
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Yuchuan Qiao
- Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Maxwell Singer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Abhay Sagare
- Zilkha Neurogenetics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Xuejuan Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Yonggang Shi
- Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - John M Ringman
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Amir H Kashani
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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2
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Murdy TJ, Dunn AR, Singh S, Telpoukhovskaia MA, Zhang S, White JK, Kahn I, Febo M, Kaczorowski CC. Leveraging genetic diversity in mice to inform individual differences in brain microstructure and memory. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 16:1033975. [PMID: 36703722 PMCID: PMC9871587 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.1033975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In human Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and AD mouse models, both differential pre-disease brain features and differential disease-associated memory decline are observed, suggesting that certain neurological features may protect against AD-related cognitive decline. The combination of these features is known as brain reserve, and understanding the genetic underpinnings of brain reserve may advance AD treatment in genetically diverse human populations. One potential source of brain reserve is brain microstructure, which is genetically influenced and can be measured with diffusion MRI (dMRI). To investigate variation of dMRI metrics in pre-disease-onset, genetically diverse AD mouse models, we utilized a population of genetically distinct AD mice produced by crossing the 5XFAD transgenic mouse model of AD to 3 inbred strains (C57BL/6J, DBA/2J, FVB/NJ) and two wild-derived strains (CAST/EiJ, WSB/EiJ). At 3 months of age, these mice underwent diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) to probe neural microanatomy in 83 regions of interest (ROIs). At 5 months of age, these mice underwent contextual fear conditioning (CFC). Strain had a significant effect on dMRI measures in most ROIs tested, while far fewer effects of sex, sex*strain interactions, or strain*sex*5XFAD genotype interactions were observed. A main effect of 5XFAD genotype was observed in only 1 ROI, suggesting that the 5XFAD transgene does not strongly disrupt neural development or microstructure of mice in early adulthood. Strain also explained the most variance in mouse baseline motor activity and long-term fear memory. Additionally, significant effects of sex and strain*sex interaction were observed on baseline motor activity, and significant strain*sex and sex*5XFAD genotype interactions were observed on long-term memory. We are the first to study the genetic influences of brain microanatomy in genetically diverse AD mice. Thus, we demonstrated that strain is the primary factor influencing brain microstructure in young adult AD mice and that neural development and early adult microstructure are not strongly altered by the 5XFAD transgene. We also demonstrated that strain, sex, and 5XFAD genotype interact to influence memory in genetically diverse adult mice. Our results support the usefulness of the 5XFAD mouse model and convey strong relationships between natural genetic variation, brain microstructure, and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amy R. Dunn
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, United States
| | - Surjeet Singh
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, United States
| | | | | | | | - Itamar Kahn
- Department of Neuroscience, Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Marcelo Febo
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Catherine C. Kaczorowski
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, United States,*Correspondence: Catherine C. Kaczorowski,
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3
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Schoemaker D, Zanon Zotin MC, Chen K, Igwe KC, Vila-Castelar C, Martinez J, Baena A, Fox-Fuller JT, Lopera F, Reiman EM, Brickman AM, Quiroz YT. White matter hyperintensities are a prominent feature of autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease that emerge prior to dementia. Alzheimers Res Ther 2022; 14:89. [PMID: 35768838 PMCID: PMC9245224 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-022-01030-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
To promote the development of effective therapies, there is an important need to characterize the full spectrum of neuropathological changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease. In line with this need, this study examined white matter abnormalities in individuals with early-onset autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease, in relation to age and symptom severity.
Methods
This is a cross-sectional analysis of data collected in members of a large kindred with a PSEN1 E280A mutation. Participants were recruited between September 2011 and July 2012 from the Colombian Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative registry. The studied cohort comprised 50 participants aged between 20 and 55 years, including 20 cognitively unimpaired mutation carriers, 9 cognitively impaired mutation carriers, and 21 non-carriers. Participants completed an MRI, a lumbar puncture for cerebrospinal fluid collection, a florbetapir PET scan, and neurological and neuropsychological examinations. The volume of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) was compared between cognitively unimpaired carriers, cognitively impaired carriers, and non-carriers. Relationships between WMH, age, and cognitive performance were further examined in mutation carriers.
Results
The mean (SD) age of participants was 35.8 (9.6) years and 64% were women. Cardiovascular risk factors were uncommon and did not differ across groups. Cognitively impaired carriers [median, 6.37; interquartile range (IQR), 9.15] had an increased volume of WMH compared to both cognitively unimpaired carriers [median, 0.85; IQR, 0.79] and non-carriers [median, 1.07; IQR, 0.71]. In mutation carriers, the volume of WMH strongly correlated with cognition and age, with evidence for an accelerated rate of changes after the age of 43 years, 1 year earlier than the estimated median age of symptom onset. In multivariable regression models including cortical amyloid retention, superior parietal lobe cortical thickness, and cerebrospinal fluid phospho-tau, the volume of WMH was the only biomarker independently and significantly contributing to the total explained variance in cognitive performance.
Conclusions
The volume of WMH is increased among individuals with symptomatic autosomal-dominant Alzheimer’s disease, begins to increase prior to clinical symptom onset, and is an independent determinant of cognitive performance in this group. These findings suggest that WMH are a key component of autosomal-dominant Alzheimer’s disease that is closely related to the progression of clinical symptoms.
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Prescott JW, Doraiswamy PM, Gamberger D, Benzinger T, Petrella JR. Diffusion Tensor MRI Structural Connectivity and PET Amyloid Burden in Preclinical Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer Disease: The DIAN Cohort. Radiology 2022; 302:143-150. [PMID: 34636637 PMCID: PMC9127824 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2021210383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Background Pathologic evidence of Alzheimer disease (AD) is detectable years before onset of clinical symptoms. Imaging-based identification of structural changes of the brain in people at genetic risk for early-onset AD may provide insights into how genes influence the pathologic cascade that leads to dementia. Purpose To assess structural connectivity differences in cortical networks between cognitively normal autosomal dominant Alzheimer disease (ADAD) mutation carriers versus noncarriers and to determine the cross-sectional relationship of structural connectivity and cortical amyloid burden with estimated years to symptom onset (EYO) of dementia in carriers. Materials and Methods In this exploratory analysis of a prospective trial, all participants enrolled in the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network between January 2009 and July 2014 who had normal cognition at baseline, T1-weighted MRI scans, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were analyzed. Amyloid PET imaging using Pittsburgh compound B was also analyzed for mutation carriers. Areas of the cerebral cortex were parcellated into three cortical networks: the default mode network, frontoparietal control network, and ventral attention network. The structural connectivity of the three networks was calculated from DTI. General linear models were used to examine differences in structural connectivity between mutation carriers and noncarriers and the relationship between structural connectivity, amyloid burden, and EYO in mutation carriers. Correlation network analysis was performed to identify clusters of related clinical and imaging markers. Results There were 30 mutation carriers (mean age ± standard deviation, 34 years ± 10; 17 women) and 38 noncarriers (mean age, 37 years ± 10; 20 women). There was lower structural connectivity in the frontoparietal control network in mutation carriers compared with noncarriers (estimated effect of mutation-positive status, -0.0266; P = .04). Among mutation carriers, there was a correlation between EYO and white matter structural connectivity in the frontoparietal control network (estimated effect of EYO, -0.0015, P = .01). There was no significant relationship between cortical global amyloid burden and EYO among mutation carriers (P > .05). Conclusion White matter structural connectivity was lower in autosomal dominant Alzheimer disease mutation carriers compared with noncarriers and correlated with estimated years to symptom onset. Clinical trial registration no. NCT00869817 © RSNA, 2021 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by McEvoy in this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey W. Prescott
- Department of Radiology, The MetroHealth System, 2500 MetroHealth Dr, Cleveland, OH 44109,Departments of Radiology and Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - P. Murali Doraiswamy
- Departments of Radiology and Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | | | - Tammie Benzinger
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Mo
| | - Jeffrey R. Petrella
- Departments of Radiology and Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
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5
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Forno G, Lladó A, Hornberger M. Going round in circles-The Papez circuit in Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 54:7668-7687. [PMID: 34656073 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The hippocampus is regarded as the pivotal structure for episodic memory symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology. However, what is often overlooked is that the hippocampus is 'only' one part of a network of memory critical regions, the Papez circuit. Other Papez circuit regions are often regarded as less relevant for AD as they are thought to sit 'downstream' of the hippocampus. However, this notion is oversimplistic, and increasing evidence suggests that other Papez regions might be affected before or concurrently with the hippocampus. In addition, AD research has mostly focused on episodic memory deficits, whereas spatial navigation processes are also subserved by the Papez circuit with increasing evidence supporting its valuable potential as a diagnostic measure of incipient AD pathophysiology. In the current review, we take a step forward analysing recent evidence on the structural and functional integrity of the Papez circuit across AD disease stages. Specifically, we will review the integrity of specific Papez regions from at-genetic-risk (APOE4 carriers), to mild cognitive impairment (MCI), to dementia stage of sporadic AD and autosomal dominant AD (ADAD). We related those changes to episodic memory and spatial navigation/orientation deficits in AD. Finally, we provide an overview of how the Papez circuit is affected in AD diseases and their specific symptomology contributions. This overview strengthened the need for moving away from a hippocampal-centric view to a network approach on how the whole Papez circuit is affected in AD and contributes to its symptomology, informing future research and clinical approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Forno
- Alzheimer's Disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,School of Psychology, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile.,Neuropsychology and Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory (LANNEC), Physiopathology Department, ICBM, Neurosciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Albert Lladó
- Alzheimer's Disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, CIBERNED, Madrid, Spain
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Wiatr K, Marczak Ł, Pérot JB, Brouillet E, Flament J, Figiel M. Broad Influence of Mutant Ataxin-3 on the Proteome of the Adult Brain, Young Neurons, and Axons Reveals Central Molecular Processes and Biomarkers in SCA3/MJD Using Knock-In Mouse Model. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:658339. [PMID: 34220448 PMCID: PMC8248683 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.658339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3/MJD) is caused by CAG expansion mutation resulting in a long polyQ domain in mutant ataxin-3. The mutant protein is a special type of protease, deubiquitinase, which may indicate its prominent impact on the regulation of cellular proteins levels and activity. Yet, the global model picture of SCA3 disease progression on the protein level, molecular pathways in the brain, and neurons, is largely unknown. Here, we investigated the molecular SCA3 mechanism using an interdisciplinary research paradigm combining behavioral and molecular aspects of SCA3 in the knock-in ki91 model. We used the behavior, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and brain tissue examination to correlate the disease stages with brain proteomics, precise axonal proteomics, neuronal energy recordings, and labeling of vesicles. We have demonstrated that altered metabolic and mitochondrial proteins in the brain and the lack of weight gain in Ki91 SCA3/MJD mice is reflected by the failure of energy metabolism recorded in neonatal SCA3 cerebellar neurons. We have determined that further, during disease progression, proteins responsible for metabolism, cytoskeletal architecture, vesicular, and axonal transport are disturbed, revealing axons as one of the essential cell compartments in SCA3 pathogenesis. Therefore we focus on SCA3 pathogenesis in axonal and somatodendritic compartments revealing highly increased axonal localization of protein synthesis machinery, including ribosomes, translation factors, and RNA binding proteins, while the level of proteins responsible for cellular transport and mitochondria was decreased. We demonstrate the accumulation of axonal vesicles in neonatal SCA3 cerebellar neurons and increased phosphorylation of SMI-312 positive adult cerebellar axons, which indicate axonal dysfunction in SCA3. In summary, the SCA3 disease mechanism is based on the broad influence of mutant ataxin-3 on the neuronal proteome. Processes central in our SCA3 model include disturbed localization of proteins between axonal and somatodendritic compartment, early neuronal energy deficit, altered neuronal cytoskeletal structure, an overabundance of various components of protein synthesis machinery in axons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalina Wiatr
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Łukasz Marczak
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Jean-Baptiste Pérot
- Université Paris-Saclay, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale, Institut de Biologie François Jacob, Molecular Imaging Research Center, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Emmanuel Brouillet
- Université Paris-Saclay, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale, Institut de Biologie François Jacob, Molecular Imaging Research Center, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Julien Flament
- Université Paris-Saclay, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale, Institut de Biologie François Jacob, Molecular Imaging Research Center, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Maciej Figiel
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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7
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Harrison JR, Bhatia S, Tan ZX, Mirza-Davies A, Benkert H, Tax CMW, Jones DK. Imaging Alzheimer's genetic risk using diffusion MRI: A systematic review. Neuroimage Clin 2020; 27:102359. [PMID: 32758801 PMCID: PMC7399253 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) is an imaging technique which probes the random motion of water molecules in tissues and has been widely applied to investigate changes in white matter microstructure in Alzheimer's Disease. This paper aims to systematically review studies that examined the effect of Alzheimer's risk genes on white matter microstructure. We assimilated findings from 37 studies and reviewed their diffusion pre-processing and analysis methods. Most studies estimate the diffusion tensor (DT) and compare derived quantitative measures such as fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity between groups. Those with increased AD genetic risk are associated with reduced anisotropy and increased diffusivity across the brain, most notably the temporal and frontal lobes, cingulum and corpus callosum. Structural abnormalities are most evident amongst those with established Alzheimer's Disease. Recent studies employ signal representations and analysis frameworks beyond DT MRI but show that dMRI overall lacks specificity to disease pathology. However, as the field advances, these techniques may prove useful in pre-symptomatic diagnosis or staging of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith R Harrison
- Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK.
| | - Sanchita Bhatia
- Cardiff University School of Medicine, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Zhao Xuan Tan
- Cardiff University School of Medicine, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Anastasia Mirza-Davies
- Cardiff University School of Medicine, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Hannah Benkert
- Cardiff University School of Medicine, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Chantal M W Tax
- Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Derek K Jones
- Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK; Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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8
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Rabin JS, Perea RD, Buckley RF, Johnson KA, Sperling RA, Hedden T. Synergism between fornix microstructure and beta amyloid accelerates memory decline in clinically normal older adults. Neurobiol Aging 2019; 81:38-46. [PMID: 31207468 PMCID: PMC6732225 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2019.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The fornix is the primary efferent white matter tract of the hippocampus and is implicated in episodic memory. In this study, we investigated whether baseline measures of altered fornix microstructure and elevated beta amyloid (Aβ) burden influence prospective cognitive decline. A secondary goal examined whether Aβ burden is negatively associated with fornix microstructure. 253 clinically normal older adults underwent diffusion-weighted imaging and Pittsburgh Compound B positron emission tomography at baseline. We applied a novel streamline tractography protocol to reconstruct a fornix bundle in native space. Cognition was measured annually in domains of episodic memory, executive function, and processing speed (median follow-up = 4.0 ± 1.4 years). After controlling for covariates, linear mixed-effects models demonstrated an interaction of fornix microstructure with Aβ burden on episodic memory, such that combined lower fornix microstructure and higher Aβ burden was associated with accelerated decline. By contrast, associations with executive function and processing speed were not significant. There was no cross-sectional association between Aβ burden and fornix microstructure. In conclusion, altered fornix microstructure may accelerate memory decline in preclinical Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer S Rabin
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rodrigo D Perea
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rachel F Buckley
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Florey Institutes of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne and Melbourne School of Psychological Science, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Neurology, Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Keith A Johnson
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Reisa A Sperling
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Trey Hedden
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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9
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Araque Caballero MÁ, Suárez-Calvet M, Duering M, Franzmeier N, Benzinger T, Fagan AM, Bateman RJ, Jack CR, Levin J, Dichgans M, Jucker M, Karch C, Masters CL, Morris JC, Weiner M, Rossor M, Fox NC, Lee JH, Salloway S, Danek A, Goate A, Yakushev I, Hassenstab J, Schofield PR, Haass C, Ewers M. White matter diffusion alterations precede symptom onset in autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease. Brain 2019; 141:3065-3080. [PMID: 30239611 PMCID: PMC6158739 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awy229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
White matter alterations are present in the majority of patients with Alzheimer's disease type dementia. However, the spatiotemporal pattern of white matter changes preceding dementia symptoms in Alzheimer's disease remains unclear, largely due to the inherent diagnostic uncertainty in the preclinical phase and increased risk of confounding age-related vascular disease and stroke in late-onset Alzheimer's disease. In early-onset autosomal-dominantly inherited Alzheimer's disease, participants are destined to develop dementia, which provides the opportunity to assess brain changes years before the onset of symptoms, and in the absence of ageing-related vascular disease. Here, we assessed mean diffusivity alterations in the white matter in 64 mutation carriers compared to 45 non-carrier family non-carriers. Using tract-based spatial statistics, we mapped the interaction of mutation status by estimated years from symptom onset on mean diffusivity. For major atlas-derived fibre tracts, we determined the earliest time point at which abnormal mean diffusivity changes in the mutation carriers were detectable. Lastly, we assessed the association between mean diffusivity and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of amyloid, tau, phosphorylated-tau, and soluble TREM2, i.e. a marker of microglia activity. Results showed a significant interaction of mutations status by estimated years from symptom onset, i.e. a stronger increase of mean diffusivity, within the posterior parietal and medial frontal white matter in mutation carriers compared with non-carriers. The earliest increase of mean diffusivity was observed in the forceps major, forceps minor and long projecting fibres-many connecting default mode network regions-between 5 to 10 years before estimated symptom onset. Higher mean diffusivity in fibre tracts was associated with lower grey matter volume in the tracts' projection zones. Global mean diffusivity was correlated with lower cerebrospinal fluid levels of amyloid-β1-42 but higher levels of tau, phosphorylated-tau and soluble TREM2. Together, these results suggest that regionally selective white matter degeneration occurs years before the estimated symptom onset. Such white matter alterations are associated with primary Alzheimer's disease pathology and microglia activity in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Ángel Araque Caballero
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Marc Suárez-Calvet
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE, Munich), Munich, Germany.,Biomedical Center, Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Marco Duering
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Nicolai Franzmeier
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Tammie Benzinger
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Anne M Fagan
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Randall J Bateman
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Johannes Levin
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE, Munich), Munich, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Dichgans
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität LMU, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE, Munich), Munich, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Mathias Jucker
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Tübingen, Germany and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Celeste Karch
- Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Colin L Masters
- The Florey Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - John C Morris
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michael Weiner
- University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA94143, USA
| | - Martin Rossor
- Dementia Research Centre, University College London, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Nick C Fox
- Dementia Research Centre, University College London, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Jae-Hong Lee
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Stephen Salloway
- Department of Neurology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Adrian Danek
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE, Munich), Munich, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Alison Goate
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Igor Yakushev
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jason Hassenstab
- Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Peter R Schofield
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Barker Street Randwick, Sydney, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Christian Haass
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE, Munich), Munich, Germany.,Biomedical Center, Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Ewers
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität LMU, Munich, Germany
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10
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Gu X, Chu T, Liu L, Han X. Genetic influences on white matter and metabolism abnormal change in Alzheimer's disease: Meta-analysis for neuroimaging research on presenilin 1 mutation. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2019; 177:47-53. [PMID: 30599314 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2018.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2018] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the presenilin1 (PSEN1) cause familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD), providing a special opportunity to study pre-symptomatic individuals who would be predicted to develop Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the future. However, whether presenilin1 (PSEN1) genotype and neuroimaging markers is a harbinger of AD remains controversial. We aimed to explore the association of PSEN1 genotype with neuroimaging markers of AD: white matter integrity, cerebral amyloid deposition and brain metabolism. We reviewed studies of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), amyloid deposition and cerebral metabolism in patients with AD and control, in order to address the relative change of white matter microstructural associated with PSEN1 genotype. We performed a systematic meta-analysis and review of 11 cross-sectional studies identified in several database from 2008 to 2018 (n = 165). The pooled standard mean difference (SMD) value was calculated to estimate the association between PSEN1 and white matter change and brain metabolism. PSEN1 mutation carrier status was associated with mean diffusivity (MD) change (pooled SMD: 2.29; 95% CI 1.04 to 3.53; p < 0.001) and increased cerebral amyloid positron emission tomography tracer (pooled SMD: 3.78, 95% CI 1.04 to 6.53, p = 0.007). PSEN1 was not associated with white matter metabolism change (p = 0.069). PSEN1 was associated with mean diffusivity (MD) increase in DTI markers and decreased brain metabolism. Theses associations may suggest the potential role of the PSEN1 gene and imaging marker in Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochun Gu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing 210009, China; Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Department of Histology Embryology, Medical School, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Tao Chu
- Nanjing Normal University Affiliated Middle School Xincheng Junior High School, 123 Huangshan Road, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Li Liu
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Department of Histology Embryology, Medical School, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xiao Han
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Department of Histology Embryology, Medical School, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing 210009, China
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11
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Song Z, Farrell ME, Chen X, Park DC. Longitudinal accrual of neocortical amyloid burden is associated with microstructural changes of the fornix in cognitively normal adults. Neurobiol Aging 2018; 68:114-122. [PMID: 29602495 PMCID: PMC5993596 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The fornix and parahippocampal cingulum are 2 major limbic tracts in the core memory network of the hippocampus. Although these fiber tracts are known to degrade with Alzheimer's disease (AD), little is known about their vulnerability in the asymptomatic phase of AD. In this longitudinal study of cognitively normal adults, we assessed amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques using positron emission tomography and white matter microstructure using diffusion tensor imaging. We found that an increase of neocortical Aβ burden over time was associated with an increase of radial diffusivity in the fornix but not in the parahippocampal cingulum. The effect of increasing neocortical Aβ burden on the fornix remained significant after controlling for baseline measures, head motion, global brain atrophy, regional Aβ burden in the hippocampus, or microstructural changes in the global white matter. In addition, microstructural changes in the fornix were not associated with decline of episodic memory or other cognitive abilities. Our findings suggest that microstructural changes in the fornix may be an early sign in the asymptomatic phase of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuang Song
- Center for Vital Longevity, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Michelle E Farrell
- Center for Vital Longevity, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Xi Chen
- Center for Vital Longevity, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Denise C Park
- Center for Vital Longevity, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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12
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Fenoll R, Pujol J, Esteba-Castillo S, de Sola S, Ribas-Vidal N, García-Alba J, Sánchez-Benavides G, Martínez-Vilavella G, Deus J, Dierssen M, Novell-Alsina R, de la Torre R. Anomalous White Matter Structure and the Effect of Age in Down Syndrome Patients. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 57:61-70. [PMID: 28222523 DOI: 10.3233/jad-161112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neural tissue alterations in Down syndrome are fully expressed at relatively late developmental stages. In addition, there is an early presence of neurodegenerative changes in the late life stages. OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were both to characterize white matter abnormalities in the brain of adult Down syndrome patients using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and to investigate whether degenerative alterations in white matter structure are detectable before dementia is clinically evident. METHODS Forty-five adult non-demented Down syndrome patients showing a wide age range (18-52 years) and a matched 45-subject control group were assessed. DTI fractional anisotropy (FA) brain maps were generated and selected cognitive tests were administered. RESULTS Compared with healthy controls, non-demented Down syndrome patients showed lower DTI FA in white matter involving the major pathways, but with more severe alterations in the frontal-subcortical circuits. White matter FA decreased with age at a similar rate in both DS and control groups. CONCLUSIONS Our results contribute to characterizing the expression of white matter structural alterations in adult Down syndrome. However, an accelerated aging effect was not demonstrated, which may suggest that the FA measurements used are not sufficiently sensitive or, alternatively, age-related white matter neurodegeneration is not obvious prior to overt clinical dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Fenoll
- MRI Research Unit, Department of Radiology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesus Pujol
- MRI Research Unit, Department of Radiology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM G21, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susanna Esteba-Castillo
- Specialized Department in Mental Health and Intellectual Disability, Institut d'Assistència Sanitària (IAS), Girona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Susana de Sola
- Integrative Pharmacology and Neuroscience Systems Research Group, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.,Cellular & Systems Neurobiology, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Núria Ribas-Vidal
- Specialized Department in Mental Health and Intellectual Disability, Institut d'Assistència Sanitària (IAS), Girona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Javier García-Alba
- Specialized Department in Mental Health and Intellectual Disability, Institut d'Assistència Sanitària (IAS), Girona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Sánchez-Benavides
- Integrative Pharmacology and Neuroscience Systems Research Group, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gerard Martínez-Vilavella
- Integrative Pharmacology and Neuroscience Systems Research Group, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Deus
- MRI Research Unit, Department of Radiology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mara Dierssen
- Cellular & Systems Neurobiology, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ramón Novell-Alsina
- Cellular & Systems Neurobiology, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael de la Torre
- Integrative Pharmacology and Neuroscience Systems Research Group, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Madrid, Spain.,Department de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut Universitat Pompeu Fabra (CEXS-UPF), Barcelona, Spain
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13
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Mak E, Gabel S, Mirette H, Su L, Williams GB, Waldman A, Wells K, Ritchie K, Ritchie C, O’Brien J. Structural neuroimaging in preclinical dementia: From microstructural deficits and grey matter atrophy to macroscale connectomic changes. Ageing Res Rev 2017; 35:250-264. [PMID: 27777039 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2016.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Revised: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The last decade has witnessed a proliferation of neuroimaging studies characterising brain changes associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), where both widespread atrophy and 'signature' brain regions have been implicated. In parallel, a prolonged latency period has been established in AD, with abnormal cerebral changes beginning many years before symptom onset. This raises the possibility of early therapeutic intervention, even before symptoms, when treatments could have the greatest effect on disease-course modification. Two important prerequisites of this endeavour are (1) accurate characterisation or risk stratification and (2) monitoring of progression using neuroimaging outcomes as a surrogate biomarker in those without symptoms but who will develop AD, here referred to as preclinical AD. Structural neuroimaging modalities have been used to identify brain changes related to risk factors for AD, such as familial genetic mutations, risk genes (for example apolipoprotein epsilon-4 allele), and/or family history. In this review, we summarise structural imaging findings in preclinical AD. Overall, the literature suggests early vulnerability in characteristic regions, such as the medial temporal lobe structures and the precuneus, as well as white matter tracts in the fornix, cingulum and corpus callosum. We conclude that while structural markers are promising, more research and validation studies are needed before future secondary prevention trials can adopt structural imaging biomarkers as either stratification or surrogate biomarkers.
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14
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Widespread white matter and conduction defects in PSEN1-related spastic paraparesis. Neurobiol Aging 2016; 47:201-209. [PMID: 27614114 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2016.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Revised: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying presenilin 1 (PSEN1) mutation-associated spastic paraparesis (SP) are not clear. We compared diffusion and volumetric magnetic resonance measures between 3 persons with SP associated with the A431E mutation and 7 symptomatic persons with PSEN1 mutations without SP matched for symptom duration. We performed amyloid imaging and central motor and somatosensory conduction studies in 1 subject with SP. We found decreases in fractional anisotropy and increases in mean diffusivity in widespread white-matter areas including the corpus callosum, occipital, parietal, and frontal lobes in PSEN1 mutation carriers with SP. Volumetric measures were not different, and amyloid imaging showed low signal in sensorimotor cortex and other areas in a single subject with SP. Electrophysiological studies demonstrated both slowed motor and sensory conduction in the lower extremities in this same subject. Our results suggest that SP in carriers of the A431E PSEN1 mutation is a manifestation of widespread white-matter abnormalities not confined to the corticospinal tract that is at most indirectly related to the mutation's effect on amyloid precursor protein processing and amyloid deposition.
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