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Updated: Sep 2, 2025

Examining the Characteristics of Episodic Memory using Event-related Potentials in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease
11:01

Examining the Characteristics of Episodic Memory using Event-related Potentials in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

Published on: August 30, 2011

13.7K

Convergent functional changes of the episodic memory impairment in mild cognitive impairment: An ALE meta-analysis

Xuhong Liang1, Qianqian Yuan1, Chen Xue1

  • 1Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.

Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
|August 1, 2022
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This meta-analysis identified specific brain functional changes in episodic memory for individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). These findings aid in the early diagnosis and intervention of MCI, distinguishing it from normal aging and Alzheimer's disease.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents an intermediate stage between normal aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD).
  • Episodic memory impairment is the primary early symptom in MCI patients.
  • Understanding functional brain changes in MCI is crucial for early detection and intervention.

Approach:

  • A coordinate-based meta-analysis was conducted using the Activation Likelihood Estimation (ALE) algorithm.
  • Functional neuroimaging studies were systematically searched and screened.
  • Analysis focused on functional connectivity (FC), ALFF/fALFF, and ReHo as indicators of brain function.

Key Points:

  • The meta-analysis included 21 functional neuroimaging studies.
  • Significant functional changes in episodic memory were observed in MCI patients.
  • These changes were primarily localized in the parahippocampal gyrus, precuneus, posterior cingulate gyrus, cuneus, middle temporal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, lingual gyrus, and thalamus.

Conclusions:

  • Specific functional alterations in episodic memory brain regions are characteristic of MCI.
  • The brain's functional network regulates episodic memory via these identified regions.
  • These functional changes offer potential biomarkers for early MCI diagnosis and therapeutic strategies.
Keywords:
activation likelihood estimationepisodic memoryfunctional connectivitymild cognitive impairmentregional homogeneityresting statethe amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation

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