| 1. |
- Karalija, Nina, 1984-, et al.
(författare)
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C957T-mediated Variation in Ligand Affinity Affects the Association between C-11-raclopride Binding Potential and Cognition
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of cognitive neuroscience. - : MIT Press. - 0898-929X .- 1530-8898. ; 31:2, s. 314-325
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The dopamine (DA) system plays an important role in cognition. Accordingly, normal variation in DA genes has been found to predict individual differences in cognitive performance. However, little is known of the impact of genetic differences on the link between empirical indicators of the DA system and cognition in humans. The present work used PET with C-11-raclopride to assess DA D2-receptor binding potential (BP) and links to episodic memory, working memory, and perceptual speed in 179 healthy adults aged 64-68 years. Previously, the T-allele of a DA D2-receptor single-nucleotide polymorphism, C957T, was associated with increased apparent affinity of C-11-raclopride, giving rise to higher BP values despite similar receptor density values between allelic groups. Consequently, we hypothesized that C-11-raclopride BP measures inflated by affinity rather than D2-receptor density in T-allele carriers would not be predictive of DA integrity and therefore prevent finding an association between C-11-raclopride BP and cognitive performance. In accordance with previous findings, we show that C-11-raclopride BP was increased in T-homozygotes. Importantly, C-11-raclopride BP was only associated with cognitive performance in groups with low or average ligand affinity (C-allele carriers of C957T, n = 124), but not in the high-affinity group (T-homozygotes, n = 55). The strongest C-11-raclopride BP-cognition associations and the highest level of performance were found in C-homozygotes. These findings show that genetic differences modulate the link between BP and cognition and thus have important implications for the interpretation of DA assessments with PET and C-11-raclopride in multiple disciplines ranging from cognitive neuroscience to psychiatry and neurology.
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| 2. |
- Karalija, Nina, 1984-, et al.
(författare)
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Cardiovascular factors are related to dopamine integrity and cognition in aging
- 2019
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Ingår i: Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 2328-9503. ; 6:11, s. 2291-2303
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: The aging brain undergoes several changes, including reduced vascular, structural, and dopamine (DA) system integrity. Such brain changes have been associated with age‐related cognitive deficits. However, their relative importance, interrelations, and links to risk factors remain elusive.Methods: The present work used magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography with 11C‐raclopride to jointly examine vascular parameters (white‐matter lesions and perfusion), DA D2‐receptor availability, brain structure, and cognitive performance in healthy older adults (n = 181, age: 64–68 years) from the Cognition, Brain, and Aging (COBRA) study.Results: Covariance was found among several brain indicators, where top predictors of cognitive performance included caudate and hippocampal integrity (D2DR availability and volumes), and cortical blood flow and regional volumes. White‐matter lesion burden was negatively correlated with caudate DA D2‐receptor availability and white‐matter microstructure. Compared to individuals with smaller lesions, individuals with confluent lesions (exceeding 20 mm in diameter) had reductions in cortical and hippocampal perfusion, striatal and hippocampal D2‐receptor availability, white‐matter microstructure, and reduced performance on tests of episodic memory, sequence learning, and processing speed. Higher cardiovascular risk as assessed by treatment for hypertension, systolic blood pressure, overweight, and smoking was associated with lower frontal cortical perfusion, lower putaminal D2DR availability, smaller grey‐matter volumes, a larger number of white‐matter lesions, and lower episodic memory performance.Interpretation: Taken together, these findings suggest that reduced cardiovascular health is associated with poorer status for brain variables that are central to age‐sensitive cognitive functions, with emphasis on DA integrity.
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| 3. |
- Karalija, Nina, 1984-, et al.
(författare)
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Longitudinal Dopamine D2 Receptor Changes and Cerebrovascular Health in Aging
- 2022
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Ingår i: Neurology. - 1526-632X .- 0028-3878. ; 99, s. e1278-e1289
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cross-sectional studies suggest marked dopamine (DA) decline in aging, but longitudinal evidence is lacking. The aim of this study was to estimate within-person decline rates for DA D2-like receptors (DRD2) in aging and examine factors that may contribute to individual differences in DRD2 decline rates. METHODS: We investigated 5-year within-person changes in DRD2 availability in a sample of older adults. At both occasions, PET with 11C-raclopride and MRI were used to measure DRD2 availability in conjunction with structural and vascular brain integrity. RESULTS: Longitudinal analyses of the sample (baseline: n = 181, ages: 64-68 years, 100 men and 81 women; 5-year follow-up: n = 129, 69 men and 60 women) revealed aging-related striatal and extrastriatal DRD2 decline, along with marked individual differences in rates of change. Notably, the magnitude of striatal DRD2 decline was ∼50% of past cross-sectional estimates, suggesting that the DRD2 decline rate has been overestimated in past cross-sectional studies. Significant DRD2 reductions were also observed in select extrastriatal regions, including hippocampus, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Distinct profiles of correlated DRD2 changes were found across several associative regions (ACC, dorsal striatum, and hippocampus) and in the reward circuit (nucleus accumbens and OFC). DRD2 losses in associative regions were associated with white matter lesion progression, whereas DRD2 losses in limbic regions were related to reduced cortical perfusion. DISCUSSION: These findings provide the first longitudinal evidence for individual and region-specific differences of DRD2 decline in older age and support the hypothesis that cerebrovascular factors are linked to age-related dopaminergic decline.
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| 4. |
- Karalija, Nina, 1984-, et al.
(författare)
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Longitudinal support for the correlative triad among aging, dopamine D2-like receptor loss, and memory decline
- 2024
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Ingår i: NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING. - 0197-4580 .- 1558-1497. ; 136, s. 125-132
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Dopamine decline is suggested to underlie aging -related cognitive decline, but longitudinal examinations of this link are currently missing. We analyzed 5 -year longitudinal data for a sample of healthy, older adults (baseline: n = 181, age: 64-68 years; 5 -year follow-up: n = 129) who underwent positron emission tomography with 11C- raclopride to assess dopamine D2 -like receptor (DRD2) availability, magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate structural brain measures, and cognitive tests. Health, lifestyle, and genetic data were also collected. A datadriven approach (k -means cluster analysis) identified groups that differed maximally in DRD2 decline rates in age -sensitive brain regions. One group (n = 47) had DRD2 decline exclusively in the caudate and no cognitive decline. A second group (n = 72) had more wide -ranged DRD2 decline in putamen and nucleus accumbens and also in extrastriatal regions. The latter group showed significant 5 -year working memory decline that correlated with putamen DRD2 decline, along with higher dementia and cardiovascular risk and a faster biological pace of aging. Taken together, for individuals with more extensive DRD2 decline, dopamine decline is associated with memory decline in aging.
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| 5. |
- Karalija, Nina, 1984-, et al.
(författare)
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Sex differences in dopamine integrity and brain structure among healthy older adults : Relationships to episodic memory
- 2021
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Ingår i: Neurobiology of Aging. - : Elsevier. - 0197-4580 .- 1558-1497. ; 105, s. 272-279
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Normal brain aging is a multidimensional process that includes deterioration in various brain structures and functions, with large heterogeneity in patterns and rates of decline. Sex differences have been reported for various cognitive and brain parameters, but little is known in relation to neuromodulatory aspects of brain aging. We examined sex differences in dopamine D2-receptor (D2DR) availability in relation to episodic memory, but also, grey-matter volumes, white-matter lesions, and cerebral perfusion in healthy older adults (n = 181, age: 64-68 years) from the Cognition, Brain, and Aging study. Women had higher D2DR availability in midbrain and left caudate and putamen, as well as superior episodic memory performance. Controlling for left caudate D2DR availability attenuated sex differences in memory performance. In men, lower left caudate D2DR levels were associated with lower cortical perfusion and higher burden of white-matter lesions, as well as with episodic memory performance. However, sex was not a significant moderator of the reported links to D2DR levels. Our findings suggest that sex differences in multiple associations among DA receptor availability, vascular factors, and structural connectivity contribute to sex differences in episodic memory. Future longitudinal studies need to corroborate these patterns by lead-lag associations. This manuscript is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Cognitive Neuroscience of Healthy and Pathological Aging' edited by Drs. M. N. Rajah, S. Belleville, and R. Cabeza.
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| 6. |
- Köhncke, Ylva, et al.
(författare)
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Self-rated intensity of habitual physical activities is positively associated with dopamine D-2/3 receptor availability and cognition
- 2018
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Ingår i: NeuroImage. - : Elsevier BV. - 1053-8119 .- 1095-9572. ; 181, s. 605-616
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Between-person differences in cognitive performance in older age are associated with variations in physical activity. The neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) contributes to cognitive performance, and the DA system deteriorates with advancing age. Animal data and a patient study suggest that physical activity modulates DA receptor availability, but data from healthy humans are lacking. In a cross-sectional study with 178 adults aged 64-68 years, we investigated links among self-reported physical activity, D(2/3)DA receptor (D2/3DR) availability, and cognitive performance. D2/3DR availability was measured with [C-11]raclopride positron emission tomography at rest. We used structural equation modeling to obtain latent factors for processing speed, episodic memory, working memory, physical activity, and D2/3DR availability in caudate, putamen, and hippocampus. Physical activity intensity was positively associated with D2/3DR availability in caudate, but not putamen and hippocampus. Frequency of physical activity was not related to D2/3DR availability. Physical activity intensity was positively related to episodic memory and working memory. D2/3DR availability in caudate and hippocampus was positively related to episodic memory. Taken together, our results suggest that striatal DA availability might be a neurochemical correlate of episodic memory that is also associated with physical activity.
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| 7. |
- Lövdén, Martin, et al.
(författare)
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Latent-Profile Analysis Reveals Behavioral and Brain Correlates of Dopamine-Cognition Associations
- 2018
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Ingår i: Cerebral Cortex. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1047-3211 .- 1460-2199. ; 28:11, s. 3894-3907
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Evidence suggests that associations between the neurotransmitter dopamine and cognition are nonmonotonic and open to modulation by various other factors. The functional implications of a given level of dopamine may therefore differ from person to person. By applying latent-profile analysis to a large (n = 181) sample of adults aged 64-68 years, we probabilistically identified 3 subgroups that explain the multivariate associations between dopamine D2/3R availability (probed with C-11-raclopride-PET, in cortical, striatal, and hippocampal regions) and cognitive performance (episodic memory, working memory, and perceptual speed). Generally, greater receptor availability was associated with better cognitive performance. However, we discovered a subgroup of individuals for which high availability, particularly in striatum, was associated with poor performance, especially for working memory. Relative to the rest of the sample, this subgroup also had lower education, higher body-mass index, and lower resting-state connectivity between caudate nucleus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. We conclude that a smaller subset of individuals induces a multivariate non-linear association between dopamine D2/3R availability and cognitive performance in this group of older adults, and discuss potential reasons for these differences that await further empirical scrutiny.
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| 8. |
- Nyberg, Lars, et al.
(författare)
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Dopamine D2 receptor availability is linked to hippocampal-caudate functional connectivity and episodic memory
- 2016
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 0027-8424 .- 1091-6490. ; 113:28, s. 7918-7923
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- D1 and D2 dopamine receptors (D1DRs and D2DRs) may contribute differently to various aspects of memory and cognition. The D1DR system has been linked to functions supported by the prefrontal cortex. By contrast, the role of the D2DR system is less clear, although it has been hypothesized that D2DRs make a specific contribution to hippocampus-based cognitive functions. Here we present results from 181 healthy adults between 64 and 68 y of age who underwent comprehensive assessment of episodic memory, working memory, and processing speed, along with MRI and D2DR assessment with [C-11]raclopride and PET. Caudate D2DR availability was positively associated with episodic memory but not with working memory or speed. Whole-brain analyses further revealed a relation between hippocampal D2DR availability and episodic memory. Hippocampal and caudate D2DR availability were interrelated, and functional MRI-based resting-state functional connectivity between the ventral caudate and medial temporal cortex increased as a function of caudate D2DR availability. Collectively, these findings indicate that D2DRs make a specific contribution to hippocampus-based cognition by influencing striatal and hippocampal regions, and their interactions.
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| 9. |
- Nyberg, Lars, 1966-, et al.
(författare)
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Individual differences in brain aging : heterogeneity in cortico-hippocampal but not caudate atrophy rates
- 2023
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Ingår i: Cerebral Cortex. - : Oxford University Press. - 1047-3211 .- 1460-2199. ; 33:9, s. 5075-5081
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- It is well documented that some brain regions, such as association cortices, caudate, and hippocampus, are particularly prone to age-related atrophy, but it has been hypothesized that there are individual differences in atrophy profiles. Here, we document heterogeneity in regional-atrophy patterns using latent-profile analysis of 1,482 longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging observations. The results supported a 2-group solution reflecting differences in atrophy rates in cortical regions and hippocampus along with comparable caudate atrophy. The higher-atrophy group had the most marked atrophy in hippocampus and also lower episodic memory, and their normal caudate atrophy rate was accompanied by larger baseline volumes. Our findings support and refine models of heterogeneity in brain aging and suggest distinct mechanisms of atrophy in striatal versus hippocampal-cortical systems.
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| 10. |
- Nyberg, Lars, 1966-, et al.
(författare)
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Longitudinal stability in working memory and frontal activity in relation to general brain maintenance
- 2022
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Nature. - 2045-2322. ; 12:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cognitive functions are well-preserved for some older individuals, but the underlying brain mechanisms remain disputed. Here, 5-year longitudinal 3-back in-scanner and offline data classified individuals in a healthy older sample (baseline age = 64–68 years) into having stable or declining working-memory (WM). Consistent with a vital role of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), WM stability or decline was related to maintained or reduced longitudinal PFC functional responses. Subsequent analyses of imaging markers of general brain maintenance revealed higher levels in the stable WM group on measures of neurotransmission and vascular health. Also, categorical and continuous analyses showed that rate of WM decline was related to global (ventricles) and local (hippocampus) measures of neuronal integrity. Thus, our findings support a role of the PFC as well as general brain maintenance in explaining heterogeneity in longitudinal WM trajectories in aging.
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