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Updated: Jun 1, 2025
Application of Granger Causality Analysis of the Directed Functional Connection in Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published on: August 7, 2017
Differential Connectivity Patterns of Mild Cognitive Impairment in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease: A Large-scale
Juzhou Wang1, Xiaolu Li1, Huize Pang1
1Department of Radiology, the first hospital of China medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China (J.W., X.L., H.P., S.B., M.Z., Y.L., G.F.).
Rationale And Objectives:
Cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), significantly impact the quality of life in older adults. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a critical stage for intervention and can predict the development of dementia. The causes of these two diseases are not fully understood, but there is an overlap in their neuropathology. There is a lack of direct comparison regarding the changes in functional connectivity within and between different brain networks during cognitive impairment in these two diseases.
Objective:
This study aims to investigate changes in brain network connectivity of AD and PD with mild cognitive impairment, shedding light on the underlying neuropathological mechanisms and potential treatment options.
Methods:
A total of 33 AD-MCI patients, 55 PD-MCI patients, and 34 healthy controls (HCs) underwent resting-state functional MRI and cognitive function assessment using Independent Components Analysis (ICA). We compared intra- and inter-network functional connectivity among the three groups and analyzed the correlation between changes in functional connectivity and cognitive domain performance.
Results:
Using ICA, we identified eight functional networks. In the AD-MCI group, reductions in internetwork functional connectivity were mainly around the default mode network (DMN). Intra-network functional connectivity was widely reduced, especially in the DMN, while intra-network functional connectivity in the Salience Network (SN) increased. In contrast, in the PD-MCI group, reductions in internetwork functional connectivity were mainly around the SN. Intra-network functional connectivity in the SN decreased, while intra-network functional connectivity in other networks increased.
Conclusion:
This study highlights distinct yet overlapping changes in brain network connectivity in AD and PD, providing new insights into the underlying mechanisms of cognitive impairment disorders.
Insights
This study reveals distinct brain network connectivity changes in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Findings offer new insights into the neuropathology of these common cognitive disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are major causes of cognitive decline in older adults.
- Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a precursor to dementia, necessitating early intervention.
- Understanding the neuropathological overlap and differences in AD and PD is crucial for developing targeted treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare alterations in brain network functional connectivity in individuals with AD and PD experiencing mild cognitive impairment.
- To elucidate the neuropathological mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment in AD and PD.
- To explore potential therapeutic targets by understanding network connectivity changes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) and Independent Component Analysis (ICA) to analyze brain networks.
- Compared intra- and inter-network functional connectivity in 33 AD-MCI patients, 55 PD-MCI patients, and 34 healthy controls (HCs).
- Correlated functional connectivity changes with cognitive domain performance.
Main Results:
- AD-MCI showed reduced internetwork connectivity around the default mode network (DMN) and widespread intra-network connectivity reduction, particularly in the DMN, with increased Salience Network (SN) connectivity.
- PD-MCI exhibited reduced internetwork connectivity around the SN and decreased intra-network connectivity within the SN, alongside increased connectivity in other networks.
- Identified distinct patterns of functional connectivity changes specific to AD-MCI and PD-MCI.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights both shared and unique alterations in brain network connectivity between AD-MCI and PD-MCI.
- These findings provide novel insights into the distinct neuropathological pathways of cognitive impairment in AD and PD.
- The results may inform the development of differential diagnostic markers and therapeutic strategies for these conditions.
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