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Neurovascular coupling dysfunction associated with cognitive impairment in presbycusis.
Chunhua Xing1, Jianhua Feng2, Jun Yao1
1Department of Radiology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China.
Brain Communications
|July 4, 2024
Summary
Neurovascular coupling, essential for brain function, is impaired in presbycusis (age-related hearing loss), affecting cognition. Regional analysis reveals specific brain circuit dysfunctions linked to cognitive decline.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Audiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) neuropathology is poorly understood.
- Cognitive impairment is a common comorbidity in presbycusis patients.
- Neurovascular coupling links brain activity and blood flow, crucial for cognitive function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neurovascular coupling mechanisms associated with cognitive impairment in presbycusis.
- To compare global and regional neurovascular coupling between presbycusis patients and healthy controls.
- To analyze the relationship between altered neurovascular coupling and cognitive performance.
Main Methods:
- Assessed neurovascular coupling using correlation coefficients between cerebral blood flow and BOLD-derived quantitative maps (ALFF, fALFF, ReHo, DC).
- Calculated four neurovascular coupling metrics: CBF-ALFF, CBF-fALFF, CBF-ReHo, and CBF-DC.
- Compared metrics globally and regionally between presbycusis and control groups, and correlated with neuropsychological scales.
Main Results:
- Global neurovascular coupling was significantly reduced in the presbycusis group compared to controls, correlating with cognitive levels.
- Regional analysis showed significant elevations in three brain regions and a decrease in one, all within the Papez circuit.
- Regional neurovascular coupling provided more detailed insights than global measures.
Conclusions:
- Neurovascular coupling is impaired in presbycusis, contributing to cognitive deficits.
- Dysfunction within the Papez circuit's neurovascular coupling is implicated in the cognitive and emotional impairments of age-related hearing loss.
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