Tracking Cortical Changes Throughout Cognitive Decline in Parkinson's Disease.
Massimo Filippi1,2,3, Elisa Canu1, Giulia Donzuso4
1Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Movement Disorders : Official Journal of the Movement Disorder Society
|September 5, 2020
Summary
Parkinson's disease (PD) patients show progressive cortical thinning linked to cognitive decline. Early-stage PD with cognitive impairment exhibits significant gray matter loss, potentially indicating future dementia risk.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with cognitive decline.
- Understanding brain structure changes in PD is crucial for predicting cognitive trajectory.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate progressive cortical thinning and volume loss in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients.
- To correlate these changes with different longitudinal patterns of cognitive decline.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 112 PD patients and 38 controls.
- Utilized structural MRI and cognitive assessments over 4 years.
- Compared baseline and longitudinal gray matter changes across cognitive groups.
Main Results:
- Patients converting to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) showed baseline parietal and occipital lobe atrophy.
- Longitudinal analysis revealed distinct patterns of cortical thinning and volume loss across cognitive trajectories.
- Parkinson's disease with conversion to dementia showed thalamic and hippocampal volume loss.
Conclusions:
- Cortical thinning progression is prominent in early PD cognitive decline.
- Frontotemporoparietal, hippocampal, and thalamic involvement correlates with severe cognitive impairment.
- Gray matter alterations may serve as MRI biomarkers for dementia risk in PD.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Parkinson's Disease: Overview
1.5K
Neurodegenerative disorders are progressive diseases that cause irreversible damage and loss to neurons in specific brain areas. Examples of these disorders include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). These disorders share characteristics such as proteinopathies, selective neuronal vulnerability, and a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. The primary therapeutic goal for these conditions is...
1.5K
01:24Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
811
Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease (PD), involve the gradual and irreversible destruction of neurons in particular brain areas. These disorders exhibit standard features like proteinopathies, selective vulnerability of some neurons, and an interaction of intrinsic properties, genetics, and environmental influences in neural injury.
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of...
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of...
811
01:26Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
1.4K
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
1.4K
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
612
Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
612
01:22Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
635
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically identified by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. AD pharmacotherapy aims to manage cognitive symptoms, delay disease progression, and treat behavioral symptoms. The treatment is primarily symptomatic and palliative, with no definitive disease-modifying therapy available. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne), are...
635
01:37Neural Regulation
42.6K
Digestion begins with a cephalic phase that prepares the digestive system to receive food. When our brain processes visual or olfactory information about food, it triggers impulses in the cranial nerves innervating the salivary glands and stomach to prepare for food.
42.6K