A new study from The University of Texas at Dallas Center for Vital Longevity (CVL) has revealed distinct differences in brain network patterns between early-stage Alzheimer’s disease and normal aging.
The research provides new insights into how Alzheimer’s affects brain function, expanding our understanding of the disease’s impact beyond the traditionally recognized areas of memory and attention.
Beyond Memory and Attention: Broader Impact on Brain Function
Dr. Gagan Wig, associate professor of psychology and the study’s corresponding author, explains that Alzheimer’s disease may cause brain dysfunctions that extend beyond memory and attention.
These dysfunctions could be detectable in the early stages of the disease, even during mild cognitive impairment before Alzheimer’s is formally diagnosed.
The team’s findings suggest that Alzheimer’s-related changes in brain networks are independent of factors commonly associated with the disease, like amyloid plaques.
Sensory and Motor Processing Circuits Also Affected
Contrary to the previous belief that Alzheimer’s primarily affects memory and attention circuits in the brain, the researchers discovered distinct changes in circuits involved in sensory and motor processing.
This revelation indicates that the scope of Alzheimer’s-related cognitive impairment is broader than previously thought.
The dysfunction in these interconnected brain regions could serve as a new characteristic for identifying cognitive impairment related to Alzheimer’s and potentially provide targets for treatment.
Differentiating Healthy Aging from Alzheimer’s Degradation
The study emphasizes the importance of distinguishing healthy aging from Alzheimer’s degradation.
While healthy aging primarily affects association systems (networks overseeing attention, memory, and language), Alzheimer’s impacts both association systems and sensory/motor systems.
In healthy aging, sensory and motor systems tend to remain stable, unlike in Alzheimer’s where they also show alterations.
Methodology and Findings
The research involved examining the effects of age and Alzheimer’s severity on resting-state brain system segregation in over 600 individuals, both cognitively healthy and impaired.
The findings revealed that dementia severity is linked not only to alterations in association systems but also to changes in sensory and motor systems.
This work was made possible by the extensive data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI).
Implications for Alzheimer’s Diagnosis and Treatment
These findings offer valuable clues for identifying behavioral deficits impacted in early stages of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
By refining brain network-based biomarkers of Alzheimer’s, scientists are closer to aiding Alzheimer’s diagnosis and measuring disease risk in healthy individuals.
The study marks a significant step forward in understanding Alzheimer’s and differentiating it from the natural aging process.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about Scientists find a simple solution to fight dementia and findings of Big causes of memory loss, dementia you need to know.
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The research findings can be found in The Journal of Neuroscience.
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