Diffusion tensor imaging reveals abnormal brain networks in elderly subjects with subjective cognitive deficits

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Gerontology

Background:

• Subjective cognitive deficits (SCD) can precede dementia.
• Understanding brain differences in SCD is crucial for early detection.
• Limited research exists on brain network distinctions between SCD and normal cognition (NC).

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and differentiate brain network alterations in elders with SCD compared to NC.
• To explore the relationship between altered brain connectivity and cognitive function in SCD.

Main Methods:

• Acquired diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and T1-weighted MRI from 18 NC and 26 SCD subjects.
• Utilized network-based statistics (NBS) to detect abnormal brain subnetworks and connectivity.
• Performed correlation analysis between affected brain regions and neurocognitive assessment scores.

Main Results:

• Identified altered subnetworks in key brain regions including the superior parietal gyrus, angular gyrus, precuneus, and putamen.
• Observed associations between these network changes and performance on memory and naming tests.
• Found significant differences in brain connectivity patterns between SCD and NC groups.

Conclusions:

• Elders with SCD exhibit unique brain network alterations compared to those with NC.
• These findings align with early-stage mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) characteristics.
• Network-based statistics (NBS) show potential for early prediction of AD progression in the SCD stage.