Progranulin Mutations Affects Brain Oscillatory Activity in Fronto-Temporal Dementia

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomarkers
• Cognitive Disorders

Background:

• Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents a prodromal stage of dementia, applicable to frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
• Progranulin (PGRN) is a recognized biomarker for frontotemporal lobe degeneration (FTLD) linked to GRN null mutations.
• Electroencephalography (EEG) effectively detects alterations in brain network activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate EEG oscillations for detecting modifications across FTD stages (MCI-FTD vs. overt FTD).
• To identify differences in EEG patterns between GRN mutation carriers and non-carriers in overt FTD patients.

Main Methods:

• EEG recordings were performed on all patients.
• Progranulin (PGRN) levels were measured in patients with overt FTD.
• Cognitive status was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Main Results:

• MCI-FTD patients exhibited significantly lower spectral power in alpha and theta oscillations compared to overt FTD patients.
• GRN mutation carriers with FTLD showed increased high alpha and decreased theta oscillations relative to non-carriers.

Conclusions:

• EEG frequency rhythms are sensitive to different stages of FTD.
• EEG can detect changes in brain oscillatory activity associated with GRN mutations in FTD.