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- Cedres, N., et al.
(author)
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Association of Cerebrovascular and Alzheimer Disease Biomarkers With Cholinergic White Matter Degeneration in Cognitively Unimpaired Individuals
- 2022
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In: Neurology. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0028-3878 .- 1526-632X. ; 99:15
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and Objectives Several pathologic processes might contribute to the degeneration of the cholinergic system in aging. We aimed to determine the contribution of amyloid, tau, and cerebrovascular biomarkers toward the degeneration of cholinergic white matter (WM) projections in cognitively unimpaired individuals. Methods The contribution of amyloid and tau pathology was assessed through CSF levels of the A beta(42/40) ratio and phosphorylated tau (p-tau). CSF A beta(38) levels were also measured. Cerebrovascular pathology was assessed using automatic segmentations of WM lesions (WMLs) on MRI. Cholinergic WM projections (i.e., cingulum and external capsule pathways) were modeled using tractography based on diffusion tensor imaging data. Sex and APOE epsilon 4 carriership were also included in the analysis as variables of interest. Results We included 203 cognitively unimpaired individuals from the H70 Gothenburg Birth Cohort Studies (all individuals aged 70 years, 51% female). WM lesion burden was the most important contributor to the degeneration of both cholinergic pathways (increase in mean square error [IncMSE] = 98.8% in the external capsule pathway and IncMSE = 93.3% in the cingulum pathway). Levels of A beta(38) and p-tau also contributed to cholinergic WM degeneration, especially in the external capsule pathway (IncMSE = 28.4% and IncMSE = 23.4%, respectively). The A beta(42/40) ratio did not contribute notably to the models (IncMSE<3.0%). APOE epsilon 4 carriers showed poorer integrity in the cingulum pathway (IncMSE = 21.33%). Women showed poorer integrity of the external capsule pathway (IncMSE = 21.55%), which was independent of amyloid status as reflected by the nonsignificant differences in integrity when comparing amyloid-positive vs amyloid-negative women participants (T-201 = -1.55; p = 0.123). Discussion In cognitively unimpaired older individuals, WMLs play a central role in the degeneration of cholinergic pathways. Our findings highlight the importance of WM lesion burden in the elderly population, which should be considered in the development of prevention programs for neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment.
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| 2. |
- Salvado, G., et al.
(author)
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The protective gene dose effect of the APOE epsilon 2 allele on gray matter volume in cognitively unimpaired individuals
- 2022
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In: Alzheimers & Dementia. - : Wiley. - 1552-5260 .- 1552-5279. ; 18:7, s. 1383-1395
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Harboring two copies of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon 2 allele strongly protects against Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the effect of this genotype on gray matter (GM) volume in cognitively unimpaired individuals has not yet been described. Methods: Multicenter brain magnetic resonance images (MRIs) from cognitively unimpaired epsilon 2 homozygotes were matched (1:1) against all other APOE genotypes for relevant confounders (n = 223). GM volumes of epsilon 2 genotypic groups were compared to each other and to the reference group (APOE epsilon 3/epsilon 3). Results: Carrying at least one epsilon 2 allele was associated with larger GM volumes in brain areas typically affected by AD and also in areas associated with cognitive resilience. APOE epsilon 2 homozygotes, but not APOE epsilon 2 heterozygotes, showed larger GM volumes in areas related to successful aging. Discussion: In addition to the known resistance against amyloid-beta deposition, the larger GM volumes in key brain regions may confer APOE epsilon 2 homozygotes additional protection against AD-related cognitive decline.
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| 3. |
- Lindberg, O., et al.
(author)
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Effects of amyloid pathology and the APOE epsilon 4 allele on the association between cerebrospinal fluid A beta 38 and A beta 40 and brain morphology in cognitively normal 70-years-olds
- 2021
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In: Neurobiology of Aging. - : Elsevier BV. - 0197-4580. ; 101, s. 1-12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The association between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid beta (A beta) A beta 38 or A beta 40 and brain grey- and white matter integrity is poorly understood. We studied this in 213 cognitively normal 70-year-olds, and in subgroups defined by presence/absence of the APOE epsilon 4 allele and A beta pathology: A beta-/APOE-, A beta+/APOE-, A beta-/APOE+ and A beta+/APOE+. CSF A beta was quantified using ELISA and genotyping for APOE was performed. Low CSF A beta 42 defined A beta plaque pathology. Brain volumes were assessed using Freesurfer-5.3, and white matter integrity using tract-based statistics in FSL. A beta 38 and A beta 40 were positively correlated with cortical thickness, some subcortical volumes and white matter integrity in the total sample, and in 3 of the subgroups: A beta-/APOE-, A beta+/APOE- and A beta-/APOE+. In A beta+/APOE+ subjects, higher A beta 38 and A beta 40 were linked to reduced cortical thickness and subcortical volumes. We hypothesize that production of all A beta species decrease in brain regions with atrophy. In A beta+/APOE+, A beta-dysregulation may be linked to cortical atrophy in which high A beta levels is causing pathological changes in the gray matter of the brain. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc.
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| 4. |
- Badji, A., et al.
(author)
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Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers, Brain Structural and Cognitive Performances Between Normotensive and Hypertensive Controlled, Uncontrolled and Untreated 70-Year-Old Adults
- 2022
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In: Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1663-4365. ; 13
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Hypertension is an important risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the relationship between AD and hypertension are not fully understood, but they most likely involve microvascular dysfunction and cerebrovascular pathology. Although previous studies have assessed the impact of hypertension on different markers of brain integrity, no study has yet provided a comprehensive comparison of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers and structural brain differences between normotensive and hypertensive groups in a single and large cohort of older adults in relationship to cognitive performances.Objective: The aim of the present work was to investigate the differences in cognitive performances, CSF biomarkers and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain structure between normotensive, controlled hypertensive, uncontrolled hypertensive, and untreated hypertensive older adults from the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies.Methods: As an indicator of vascular brain pathology, we measured white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), lacunes, cerebral microbleeds, enlarged perivascular space (epvs), and fractional anisotropy (FA). To assess markers of AD pathology/neurodegeneration, we measured hippocampal volume, temporal cortical thickness on MRI, and amyloid-beta(42), phosphorylated tau, and neurofilament light protein (NfL) in cerebrospinal fluid. Various neuropsychological tests were used to assess performances in memory, attention/processing speed, executive function, verbal fluency, and visuospatial abilities.Results: We found more white matter pathology in hypertensive compared to normotensive participants, with the highest vascular burden in uncontrolled participants (e.g., lower FA, more WMHs, and epvs). No significant difference was found in any MRI or CSF markers of AD pathology/neurodegeneration when comparing normotensive and hypertensive participants, nor among hypertensive groups. No significant difference was found in most cognitive functions between groups.Conclusion: Our results suggest that good blood pressure control may help prevent cerebrovascular pathology. In addition, hypertension may contribute to cognitive decline through its effect on cerebrovascular pathology rather than AD-related pathology. These findings suggest that hypertension is associated with MRI markers of vascular pathology in the absence of a significant decline in cognitive functions.
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| 6. |
- Rydén, Lina, 1982, et al.
(author)
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Atrial Fibrillation, Stroke, and Silent Cerebrovascular Disease A Population-based MRI Study
- 2021
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In: Neurology. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0028-3878 .- 1526-632X. ; 97:16
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and Objectives Atrial fibrillation (AF) has been associated with cognitive decline and dementia. However, the mechanisms behind these associations are not clear. Examination of cerebrovascular pathology on MRI may shed light on how AF affects the brain. This study aimed to determine whether AF is associated with a broad range of cerebrovascular diseases beyond the well-known association with symptomatic stroke, including silent infarcts and markers of small vessel disease, i.e., cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), and lacunes, in a population-based sample of 70-year-olds. Methods Data were obtained from the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies, in which individuals are invited based on birthdate. This study has a cross-sectional design and includes individuals born in 1944 who underwent structural brain MRI in 2014 to 2017. AF diagnoses were based on self-report, ECG, and register data. Symptomatic stroke was based on self-report, proxy interviews, and register data. Brain infarcts and CMBs were assessed by a radiologist. WMH volumes were measured on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images with the Lesion Segmentation Tool. Multivariable logistic regression was used to study the association between AF and infarcts/CMBs, and multivariable linear regression was used to study the association between AF and WMHs. Results A total of 776 individuals were included, and 65 (8.4%) had AF. AF was associated with symptomatic stroke (odds ratio [OR] 4.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.1-9.5) and MRI findings of large infarcts (OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.5-15.9), lacunes (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.2-5.6), and silent brain infarcts (OR 3.5; 95% CI 1.6-7.4). Among those with symptomatic stroke, individuals with AF had larger WMH volumes (0.0137 mL/total intracranial volume [TIV], 95% CI 0.0074-0.0252) compared to those without AF (0.0043 mL/TIV, 95% CI 0.0029-0.0064). There was no association between AF and WMH volumes among those without symptomatic stroke. In addition, AF was associated to CMBs in the frontal lobe. Discussion AF was associated with a broad range of cerebrovascular pathologies. Further research is needed to establish whether cerebrovascular MRI markers can be added to current treatment guidelines to further personalize anticoagulant treatment in patients with AF and to further characterize the pathogenetic processes underlying the associations between AF and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as dementia.
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| 7. |
- Srikrishna, Meera, et al.
(author)
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CT-based volumetric measures obtained through deep learning: Association with biomarkers of neurodegeneration
- 2024
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In: Alzheimers & Dementia. - 1552-5260. ; 20:1, s. 629-640
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- INTRODUCTIONCranial computed tomography (CT) is an affordable and widely available imaging modality that is used to assess structural abnormalities, but not to quantify neurodegeneration. Previously we developed a deep-learning-based model that produced accurate and robust cranial CT tissue classification.MATERIALS AND METHODSWe analyzed 917 CT and 744 magnetic resonance (MR) scans from the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort, and 204 CT and 241 MR scans from participants of the Memory Clinic Cohort, Singapore. We tested associations between six CT-based volumetric measures (CTVMs) and existing clinical diagnoses, fluid and imaging biomarkers, and measures of cognition.RESULTSCTVMs differentiated cognitively healthy individuals from dementia and prodromal dementia patients with high accuracy levels comparable to MR-based measures. CTVMs were significantly associated with measures of cognition and biochemical markers of neurodegeneration.DISCUSSIONThese findings suggest the potential future use of CT-based volumetric measures as an informative first-line examination tool for neurodegenerative disease diagnostics after further validation.HIGHLIGHTSComputed tomography (CT)-based volumetric measures can distinguish between patients with neurodegenerative disease and healthy controls, as well as between patients with prodromal dementia and controls.CT-based volumetric measures associate well with relevant cognitive, biochemical, and neuroimaging markers of neurodegenerative diseases.Model performance, in terms of brain tissue classification, was consistent across two cohorts of diverse nature.Intermodality agreement between our automated CT-based and established magnetic resonance (MR)-based image segmentations was stronger than the agreement between visual CT and MR imaging assessment.
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