The Cortical Neuroanatomy Related to Specific Neuropsychological Deficits in Alzheimer's Continuum

Abstract

Background and PurposeIn Alzheimer's continuum (a comprehensive of preclinical Alzheimer's disease [AD], mild cognitive impairment [MCI] due to AD, and AD dementia), cognitive dysfunctions are often related to cortical atrophy in specific brain regions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between anatomical pattern of cortical atrophy and specific neuropsychological deficits.MethodsA total of 249 participants with Alzheimer's continuum (125 AD dementia, 103 MCI due to AD, and 21 preclinical AD) who were confirmed to be positive for amyloid deposits were collected from the memory disorder clinic in the department of neurology at Samsung Medical Center in Korea between September 2013 and March 2018. To analyze neuropsychological test-specific neural correlates representing the relationship between cortical atrophy measured by cortical thickness and performance in specific neuropsychological tests, a linear regression analysis was performed. Two neural correlates acquired by 2 different standardized scores in neuropsychological tests were also compared.ResultsCortical atrophy in several specific brain regions was associated with most neuropsychological deficits, including digit span backward, naming, drawing-copying, verbal and visual recall, semantic fluency, phonemic fluency, and response inhibition. There were a few differences between 2 neural correlates obtained by different z-scores.ConclusionsThe poor performance of most neuropsychological tests is closely related to cortical thinning in specific brain areas in Alzheimer's continuum. Therefore, the brain atrophy pattern in patients with Alzheimer's continuum can be predict by an accurate analysis of neuropsychological tests in clinical practice.

Associations Between Cerebral Morphology and Objective Memory Performance in Patients With Subjective Cognitive Decline

“…In contrast to the immediate memory, the delayed recall task was restricted to the medial temporal lobe (MTL) area [48]. The delayed recall test re ects a long-term memory component [47], which was used to access ability of memory consolidation [49]. The essential role of medial temporal structures for the consolidation of new information has been known for a long time [50].…”

“…As with delayed recall, recognition memory was also reported to be most strongly associated with medial temporal structures, which is closely related to retrieval ability. Poor performance on delay recalls and recognition meant retention de cit, causing by the problem of memory consolidation [49]. Cued recall has been shown to provide an estimate of all items that the participant has stored, which has been reported to be highly associated with temporal regions [54].…”

Cognitive training in fully immersive virtual reality improves visuospatial function and fronto-occipital functional connectivity in a pre-dementia state: A randomized controlled trial

“…); (iv) graphical planning (e.g., routine or contingent planning); and (v) articulation and economic constraints during motor output. Through these steps, multiple brain regions have been found to be associated with RCFT copy task performance, including the temporal, parietal, occipital, and frontal cortices in both hemispheres or the right hemisphere alone [69][70][71]. Although we observed increased activity only in the primary visual cortices (visual medial) and the right associative visual cortices (right visual lateral) connecting to the areas in the middle frontal cortices, these regions are known to be involved in visual recognition and graphic output planning processes required to complete the RCFT copy task [68], and they are associated with visuo-motor transformation and multistep object use in the task [71].…”

An amyloid sensitive composite model to determine subtle cognitive differences in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease

“…The second edition of the Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery (SNSB-II) was administered to all the participants to assess their cognitive functions [15]. Similarly, the SVLT-E was composed of immediate recall trials, delayed recall, and recognition tests.…”