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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
Localization of the Locus Coeruleus in the Mouse Brain
Published on: March 7, 2019
Microstructural assessment of the locus coeruleus-entorhinal cortex pathway and association with ATN markers in
Marco Aiello1, Moira Marizzoni2, Pasquale Borrelli1
1IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Naples, Italy.
Introduction:
Whether Alzheimer's disease pathology involves white matter pathways connecting the locus coeruleus (LC) to the entorhinal cortex (EC) is unclear. In this cross-sectional observational study, we investigated the microstructural integrity of the LC-EC pathway in relation to amyloid, tau, and neurodegeneration (ATN) biomarkers along the cognitive spectrum from normal cognition to dementia.
Methods:
One hundred twenty-four participants underwent clinical assessment, diffusion-weighted imaging, structural magnetic resonance imaging (N), amyloid (A), and tau (T) positron emission tomography. Diffusivity indices were assessed in the LC-EC tract using a probabilistic atlas, and linear models were used to assess associations with ATN markers and cognition.
Results:
Differences in LC-EC microstructural parameters were observed in participants with Braak stage > I versus Braak 0 (p < 0.020), N+ versus N- (p < 0.001), and cognitively impaired versus unimpaired (p < 0.019). LC-EC mean diffusivity was associated with Mini-Mental State Examination score even after accounting for ATN markers (p = 0.015).
Discussion:
Our results suggest that LC-EC diffusivity provides complementary information over ATN biomarkers in explaining cognitive impairment.
Highlights:
Locus coeruleus-entorhinal cortex (LC-EC) tract microstructure is associated with tau and especially neurodegeneration markers. LC-EC tract microstructure is more sensitive to tau pathology and neurodegeneration than tracts commonly affected in Alzheimer's disease. LC-EC diffusivity measures provide complementary information over amyloid, tau, and neurodegeneration (ATN) biomarkers.
