Amyloid-Beta Pathology and Cognitive Performance in Centenarians
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Amyloid-beta (Aβ) pathology in centenarians is linked to cognitive decline, not a benign aging effect. High Aβ loads correlate with poorer cognitive performance, challenging previous assumptions.
Area Of Science
- Neuropathology
- Neuroscience
- Aging Research
Background
- Older individuals without dementia often exhibit amyloid-beta (Aβ) Thal phases similar to Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients.
- This observation suggested Aβ pathology might be a benign consequence of aging.
Purpose Of The Study
- To investigate the association between Aβ pathology and cognitive performance in centenarians.
- To determine if Aβ accumulation in extreme longevity is linked to cognitive status.
Main Methods
- Longitudinal cohort study using cross-sectional data from the Dutch 100-plus Study.
- Assessed Aβ pathology via Thal phase and quantitative loads in centenarian brains (n=95) and compared with AD patients.
- Correlated neuropathological findings with antemortem cognitive test performance.
Main Results
- Centenarians with high Aβ loads showed significantly lower cognitive performance than those with no or low Aβ.
- Increased Aβ loads in neocortical and hippocampal regions were associated with impaired executive functioning.
- Five resilient centenarians with high Aβ loads maintained cognitive function, exhibiting less tau pathology.
Conclusions
- Aβ pathology is not benign in aging and contributes to cognitive impairment even in centenarians.
- The interaction between Aβ and tau pathology in the oldest individuals supports the amyloid cascade hypothesis.
- These findings highlight the detrimental impact of Aβ accumulation on cognition across the lifespan.
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