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Updated: Dec 18, 2025
Visualization of Amyloid β Deposits in the Human Brain with Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Imaging Mass Spectrometry
Published on: March 7, 2019
Comparison of Amyloid Positivity Rate and Accumulation Pattern between Amnestic and Non-Amnestic Type Mild Cognitive
Sun Hyung Lee1, Jun Ho Lee2, Min Soo Byun3
1Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Objective:
We aimed to compare cerebral beta-amyloid protein (Aβ) positivity rate and amyloid accumulation pattern on amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) between mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subtypes, i.e. amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment (naMCI).
Methods:
The study participants were 34 naMCI patients and age-, sex- and education-matched 68 aMCI patients (1:2 ratio) who visited the Dementia and Age-Associated Cognitive Decline Clinic of the Seoul National University Hospital. All participants received comprehensive clinical and neuropsychological assessments and [18F] florbetaben PET.
Results:
Aβ positivity rate of naMCI group (26.5%) was significantly lower than that of aMCI group (64.7%). Among Aβ positive individuals, there was no difference in Aβ accumulation pattern between naMCI and aMCI.
Conclusion:
The findings suggest that MCI subtypes based on impaired cognitive domains have a differential association with brain Aβ deposition, a core pathology of AD. Amnestic subtype of MCI are more closely associated with cerebral Aβ deposition compared to nonamnestic subtype. In contrast, the pattern of amyloid deposition does not appear to have any difference between the subtypes.
Insights
Mild cognitive impairment subtypes show different brain amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition rates. Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) has higher Aβ positivity than non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment (naMCI), but deposition patterns are similar.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a heterogeneous condition.
- Identifying MCI subtypes is crucial for understanding underlying neuropathology.
- Cerebral beta-amyloid protein (Aβ) deposition is a core pathology in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare cerebral Aβ positivity rates and accumulation patterns between amnestic MCI (aMCI) and non-amnestic MCI (naMCI) subtypes.
- To investigate the association between MCI subtypes and Aβ deposition using PET imaging.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 34 naMCI and 68 aMCI patients.
- Participants underwent clinical, neuropsychological assessments, and [18F] florbetaben PET scans.
- Age, sex, and education matching was performed for patient groups.
Main Results:
- Aβ positivity rate was significantly lower in the naMCI group (26.5%) compared to the aMCI group (64.7%).
- Among Aβ-positive individuals, no significant difference in Aβ accumulation patterns was observed between naMCI and aMCI.
- This suggests a differential association of MCI subtypes with Aβ pathology.
Conclusions:
- MCI subtypes exhibit distinct relationships with cerebral Aβ deposition.
- The amnestic subtype of MCI is more strongly associated with Aβ deposition than the non-amnestic subtype.
- Amyloid deposition patterns do not differ between MCI subtypes.
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