Biomarkers.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

• Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive memory loss.
• The hippocampus, particularly the CA1 subfield, is vulnerable to AD-related atrophy.
• Early-life factors may influence long-term AD risk by affecting hippocampal development during sensitive periods like periadolescence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between early-life well-being and hippocampal structure in children.
• To examine the role of the CA1 subfield in relational memory during childhood.
• To explore how physical and financial well-being in childhood may predict AD vulnerability later in life.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Polygenic Risk of Alzheimer's disease in Nebraska Kids (PRANK) study.
• Collected fMRI-BOLD data during a relational memory task in children aged 8-13 years.
• Measured hippocampal subfield volumes, including CA1, using Automatic Segmentation of Hippocampal Subfields (ASHS) software.

Main Results:

• Successful relational subsequent memory (RSM) was associated with increased activity in the right anterior CA1.
• Right CA1 volume positively correlated with RSM performance.
• Lower physical and financial well-being were negatively associated with CA1 volumes in both hemispheres.

Conclusions:

• The CA1 subfield plays a crucial role in successful relational memory performance in children.
• Early-life physical and financial well-being are associated with the volume of the AD-vulnerable CA1 subfield.
• These findings highlight the potential impact of periadolescent development on late-life AD risk.