Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
05:17
Hybrid PET/MRI Imaging of Alzheimer's Disease Based on 18F-AV-1451
Published on: April 18, 2025
Intelligence quotient-adjusted memory impairment is associated with abnormal single photon emission computed
Dorene M Rentz1, Terri J Huh, Lisa M Sardinha
1Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. drentz@partners.org
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society : JINS
|August 19, 2007
Summary
Highly intelligent individuals with early Alzheimer's disease (AD) show mild memory impairment (IQ-MI) linked to brain perfusion changes. This IQ-MI predicts future cognitive and functional decline in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Cognitive reserve in highly intelligent individuals can mask early Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- Detecting prodromal AD in high-cognitive-reserve individuals requires specialized diagnostic approaches.
- IQ-adjusted cognitive norms may reveal subtle impairments missed by standard assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test if IQ-adjusted mild memory impairment (IQ-MI) is associated with brain perfusion abnormalities and predicts decline in older adults.
- To investigate the relationship between SPECT perfusion patterns and cognitive changes in individuals with high cognitive reserve.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-three cognitively normal older adults (Clinical Dementia Rating [CDR] = 0) were classified into IQ-MI (n=10) or memory-normal (IQ-MN, n=13) groups based on IQ-adjusted memory scores.
- Subjects underwent cognitive/functional assessments for 3 years and baseline perfusion SPECT imaging.
- SPECT data were analyzed to compare perfusion between IQ-MI and IQ-MN groups.
Main Results:
- IQ-MI subjects showed significant decline in memory, visuospatial processing, and phonemic fluency over 3 years.
- 60% of IQ-MI subjects progressed to CDR 0.5, while IQ-MN subjects remained stable.
- IQ-MI group exhibited reduced perfusion in parietal/precuneus, temporal, and frontal regions, but increased perfusion in medial frontal/anterior cingulate areas compared to IQ-MN.
Conclusions:
- IQ-adjusted memory impairment in high-cognitive-reserve individuals is linked to SPECT perfusion abnormalities characteristic of prodromal AD.
- This subtle impairment predicts subsequent cognitive and functional decline, aiding early AD detection.
- SPECT imaging reveals distinct perfusion patterns associated with early AD in cognitively resilient individuals.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Assessment of Diffusion and Perfusion
Understanding and evaluating diffusion and perfusion is critical in assessing a patient's respiratory and circulatory health. These processes play key roles in maintaining the body's internal environment, ensuring that tissues receive adequate oxygen while waste products are efficiently removed.
The Role of Diffusion in Respiration
Diffusion is the process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. In the respiratory system, this principle...
The Role of Diffusion in Respiration
Diffusion is the process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. In the respiratory system, this principle...
01:25Imaging Studies II: Positron Emission Tomography and Scintigraphy
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a medical imaging technique that provides crucial insights into the body's physiological functions at a molecular level. It is an indispensable resource for diagnosing, staging, and monitoring various illnesses, notably cancer, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular conditions.
Fundamental Principles of PET
Fundamental Principles of PET