Alzheimer's Imaging Consortium

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cardiovascular Health
• Dementia Research

Background:

• Cardiovascular risk factors are linked to allostatic-interoception and dementia risk.
• The impact of cardiovascular risk on brain networks like the Allostatic-Interoceptive Network (AIN) in neurodegenerative diseases remains unclear.
• This study investigates the relationship between cardiovascular risk and AIN in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between cardiovascular risk and the structural and functional integrity of the Allostatic-Interoceptive Network (AIN).
• To explore disease-specific patterns of AIN vulnerability in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Main Methods:

• Recruited 1501 participants (304 FTLD, 512 AD, 685 controls) from the ReDLat consortium.
• Calculated a cardiovascular risk score based on age, sex, diabetes, hypertension, blood pressure, BMI, and smoking status.
• Assessed gray matter integrity and functional connectivity within the AIN in matched patient-control groups.

Main Results:

• Higher cardiovascular risk correlated with reduced AIN structural integrity and functional connectivity in both FTLD and AD.
• FTLD patients exhibited widespread structural and functional disruptions across the AIN.
• AD patients showed prominent AIN structural reductions, with functional connectivity mainly in the hippocampus and orbitofrontal regions.

Conclusions:

• Cardiovascular risk factors adversely affect AIN structure and function, with distinct patterns in FTLD and AD.
• Integrating cardiovascular health management is vital for brain integrity in dementia.
• Further research is needed on longitudinal effects and the exacerbation of neurodegeneration by cardiovascular risk.