Use of machine learning to identify functional connectivity changes in a clinical cohort of patients at risk for dementia

Abstract

ObjectiveProgressive conditions characterized by cognitive decline, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) are clinical conditions representing a major risk factor to develop dementia, however, the diagnosis of these pre-dementia conditions remains a challenge given the heterogeneity in clinical trajectories. Earlier diagnosis requires data-driven approaches for improved and targeted treatment modalities.MethodsNeuropsychological tests, baseline anatomical T1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI), and diffusion weighted scans were obtained from 35 patients with SCD, 19 with MCI, and 36 age-matched healthy controls (HC). A recently developed machine learning technique, Hollow Tree Super (HoTS) was utilized to classify subjects into diagnostic categories based on their FC, and derive network and parcel-based FC features contributing to each model. The same approach was used to identify features associated with performance in a range of neuropsychological tests. We concluded our analysis by looking at changes in PageRank centrality (a measure of node hubness) between the diagnostic groups.ResultsSubjects were classified into diagnostic categories with a high area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC), ranging from 0.73 to 0.84. The language networks were most notably associated with classification. Several central networks and sensory brain regions were predictors of poor performance in neuropsychological tests, suggesting maladaptive compensation. PageRank analysis highlighted that basal and limbic deep brain region, along with the frontal operculum demonstrated a reduction in centrality in both SCD and MCI patients compared to controls.ConclusionOur methods highlight the potential to explore the underlying neural networks contributing to the cognitive changes and neuroplastic responses in prodromal dementia.

Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on episodic memory in patients with subjective cognitive decline: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial

“…The inclusion criteria are based on Jessen's criteria as follows (Jessen et al, 2014;Shen et al, 2022): (1) not meeting the diagnosis of MCI on the standardized neuropsychological tests, including memory, speed/executive function, and language domains (Zhong et al, 2021); (2) self-perceived memory loss for at least 6 months;…”