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Single domain amnestic MCI: a multiple cognitive domains fMRI investigation
1Department of Neurological Sciences, Università Sapienza, Viale dell'Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy. delia.lenzi@gmail.com
Abstract:
Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (a-MCI) is associated with the highest annual incidence of conversion to Alzheimer's disease (AD) (10-15%). a-MCI patients may have only a memory deficit (single domain: sd-a-MCI) or additional dysfunctions affecting other cognitive domains (multiple domain: md-a-MCI). Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we investigated brain activation in 16 sd-a-MCI patients and 14 controls during four different tasks assessing language, memory, attention and empathy functions. We found greater activation in sd-a-MCI compared with controls in the left inferior temporal gyrus (language), the right superior temporal gyrus (memory) and the right dorsal precentral gyrus (attention). Moreover, patients' activation correlated significantly with neuropsychological scores obtained at tests exploring the corresponding function. These findings indicate that fMRI is sensitive to detect early changes occurring in AD pathology and that individuals with sd-a-MCI show increased activation in multiple task-related brain regions. We suggest that these functional changes relate to the development of early compensatory mechanisms that reduce cognitive deficits associated with the progressive accumulation of brain damage.
Insights
Individuals with single-domain amnestic mild cognitive impairment (a-MCI) show increased brain activation during cognitive tasks. This fMRI study suggests early compensatory mechanisms in the brain to counteract developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neurology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (a-MCI) has a high conversion rate to Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- a-MCI can present as single-domain (memory only) or multiple-domain impairment.
- Early detection of AD pathology is crucial for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate brain activation patterns in single-domain a-MCI (sd-a-MCI) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
- To assess brain responses during tasks evaluating language, memory, attention, and empathy.
- To correlate fMRI findings with neuropsychological test performance.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed.
- 16 sd-a-MCI patients and 14 healthy controls performed four cognitive tasks.
- Brain activation was analyzed in response to language, memory, attention, and empathy tasks.
Main Results:
- sd-a-MCI patients exhibited greater activation in specific brain regions compared to controls.
- Increased activation was observed in the left inferior temporal gyrus (language), right superior temporal gyrus (memory), and right dorsal precentral gyrus (attention).
- Patient activation levels significantly correlated with their performance on corresponding neuropsychological tests.
Conclusions:
- fMRI can detect subtle, early functional changes associated with AD pathology.
- sd-a-MCI is characterized by increased activation in task-related brain regions.
- These heightened activations may represent compensatory mechanisms against accumulating neuropathology.
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