Prospective memory performance and its resting-state functional connectivity correlates in individuals with memory...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neurology
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• Prospective memory (PM) is crucial for daily functioning.
• Early detection of PM impairment in individuals with memory complaints but no dementia (PWD) is vital.
• Resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) may serve as a neuroimaging marker for early cognitive changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate prospective memory (PM) performance in PWD.
• To identify alterations in rsFC associated with PM impairment.
• To explore the relationship between PM, rsFC, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers.

Main Methods:

• Sixty PWD were assessed using the Memory Screening Test for Intentions and the Virtual Week.
• rsFC was analyzed using Network-Based Statistics (NBS) with PM scores as a regressor.
• Participants were categorized into high and low PM groups (HPMG, LPMG) for comparative analysis.

Main Results:

• LPMG demonstrated significant deficits in both event- and time-based PM tasks compared to HPMG, with event-based tasks showing greater impairment.
• The middle frontal gyrus (MFG), supramarginal gyrus (SMG), and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) were identified as key regions for PM.
• HPMG exhibited higher connectivity and performance but lower CSF Aβ42 levels, suggesting cognitive reserve compensation.

Conclusions:

• PM impairment is evident in PWD and associated with specific rsFC alterations in MFG, SMG, and ACC.
• Spontaneous cognitive processes are more affected in advanced PM impairment.
• Cognitive reserve may initially compensate for amyloidosis-related changes by enhancing brain connectivity.