Abstract
Alzheimer´s disease (AD) is characterized by mental and cognitive problems, particularly with memory, language, visuospatial skills (VS), and executive functions (EF). Advances in the neuroimaging of AD have highlighted dysfunctions in functional connectivity networks (FCNs), especially in the memory related default mode network (DMN). However, little is known about the integrity and clinical significance of FNCs that process other cognitive functions than memory. We evaluated 22 patients with mild AD and 26 healthy controls through a resting state functional MRI scan. We aimed to identify different FCNs: the DMN, language, EF, and VS. Seed-based functional connectivity was calculated by placing a seed in the DMN (posterior cingulate cortex), language (Broca´s and Wernicke´s areas), EF (right and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex), and VS networks (right and left associative visual cortex). We also performed regression analyses between individual connectivity maps for the different FCNs and the scores on cognitive tests. We found areas with significant decreases in functional connectivity in patients with mild AD in the DMN and Wernicke´s area compared with controls. Increased connectivity in patients was observed in the EF network. Regarding multiple linear regression analyses, a significant correlation was only observed between the connectivity of the DMN and episodic memory (delayed recall) scores. In conclusion, functional connectivity alterations in mild AD are not restricted to the DMN. Other FCNs related to language and EF may be altered. However, we only found significant correlations between cognition and functional connectivity in the DMN and episodic memory performance.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, cognition, default mode network, functional connectivity, functional networks, resting-state networks.
Current Alzheimer Research
Title:Default Mode, Executive Function, and Language Functional Connectivity Networks are Compromised in Mild Alzheimer´s Disease
Volume: 11 Issue: 3
Author(s): Marina Weiler, Aya Fukuda, Lilian H.P. Massabki, Tatila M. Lopes, Alexandre R. Franco, Benito P. Damasceno, Fernando Cendes and Marcio L.F. Balthazar
Affiliation:
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, cognition, default mode network, functional connectivity, functional networks, resting-state networks.
Abstract: Alzheimer´s disease (AD) is characterized by mental and cognitive problems, particularly with memory, language, visuospatial skills (VS), and executive functions (EF). Advances in the neuroimaging of AD have highlighted dysfunctions in functional connectivity networks (FCNs), especially in the memory related default mode network (DMN). However, little is known about the integrity and clinical significance of FNCs that process other cognitive functions than memory. We evaluated 22 patients with mild AD and 26 healthy controls through a resting state functional MRI scan. We aimed to identify different FCNs: the DMN, language, EF, and VS. Seed-based functional connectivity was calculated by placing a seed in the DMN (posterior cingulate cortex), language (Broca´s and Wernicke´s areas), EF (right and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex), and VS networks (right and left associative visual cortex). We also performed regression analyses between individual connectivity maps for the different FCNs and the scores on cognitive tests. We found areas with significant decreases in functional connectivity in patients with mild AD in the DMN and Wernicke´s area compared with controls. Increased connectivity in patients was observed in the EF network. Regarding multiple linear regression analyses, a significant correlation was only observed between the connectivity of the DMN and episodic memory (delayed recall) scores. In conclusion, functional connectivity alterations in mild AD are not restricted to the DMN. Other FCNs related to language and EF may be altered. However, we only found significant correlations between cognition and functional connectivity in the DMN and episodic memory performance.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Weiler Marina, Fukuda Aya, Massabki H.P. Lilian, Lopes M. Tatila, Franco R. Alexandre, Damasceno P. Benito, Cendes Fernando and Balthazar L.F. Marcio, Default Mode, Executive Function, and Language Functional Connectivity Networks are Compromised in Mild Alzheimer´s Disease, Current Alzheimer Research 2014; 11 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1567205011666140131114716
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1567205011666140131114716 |
Print ISSN 1567-2050 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5828 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
New Advances in the Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Alzheimer's Disease
Aims and Scope: Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant global health challenge, with an increasing prevalence that demands concerted efforts to advance our understanding and strategies for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. This thematic issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research and innovative approaches from multidisciplinary perspectives to address ...read more
Current updates on the Role of Neuroinflammation in Neurodegenerative Disorders
Neuroinflammation is an invariable hallmark of chronic and acute neurodegenerative disorders and has long been considered a potential drug target for Alzheimer?s disease (AD) and dementia. Significant evidence of inflammatory processes as a feature of AD is provided by the presence of inflammatory markers in plasma, CSF and postmortem brain ...read more
Deep Learning for Advancing Alzheimer's Disease Research
Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant global health challenge, with an increasing number of individuals affected yearly. Deep learning, a subfield of artificial intelligence, has shown immense potential in various domains, including healthcare. This thematic issue of Current Alzheimer Research explores the application of deep learning techniques in advancing our ...read more
Diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers of dementia
Dementia affects 18 million people worldwide. Dementia is a syndrome of symptoms caused by brain disease, usually chronic or progressive, clinically characterized by multiple impairments of higher cortical functions such as memory, thinking, orientation, and learning. In addition, in the course of dementia, cognitive deficits are observed, which often hinder ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Treating Hypertension in the Elderly: Common Problems and Solutions
Current Hypertension Reviews Treatment of Anderson-Fabry Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design AtreMorine Treatment Regulates DNA Methylation in Neurodegenerative Disorders: Epigenetic and Pharmacogenetic Studies
Current Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine The Effect of First-in-Class Small Molecule RhoA Inhibitor, HL07, on the Phenylephrine-induced Artery Contraction
Current Pharmaceutical Design AMPK in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Implications and Therapeutic Perspectives
Current Drug Targets Ion Channels and Epilepsy
Current Pharmaceutical Design MicroRNA-34 Family, Mechanisms of Action in Cancer: A Review
Current Cancer Drug Targets Current Clinical Applications of In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Spectroscopic Imaging
Current Medical Imaging Enhancement of Delayed Audiovisual Response in Parkinson’s Disease: A Comparison with Normal Aged Controls
Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering (Discontinued) Partial Dopamine Agonists and Dopaminergic Stabilizers, in the Treatment of Psychosis
Current Drug Targets - CNS & Neurological Disorders Novel Therapeutic Approach for Autism Spectrum Disorder: Focus on SHANK3
Current Neuropharmacology Antihyperlipidemic and Antiobesity Potential of <i>Aquilaria agallocha</i> and <i>Borago officinalis</i> in Fixed-Dose Combination; A Contingent Probe with Atorvastatin and Orlistat
Current Bioactive Compounds From Stem Cells to Dopamine Neurons: Developmental Biology Meets Neurodegeneration
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors in Central Nervous System Diseases
Current Drug Targets Midlife Modifiable Risk Factors for Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 34 Prospective Cohort Studies
Current Alzheimer Research Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor: A Dynamic Gatekeeper of Neural Plasticity
Current Molecular Pharmacology Sleep Related Disorders in the Elderly: An Overview
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Drugs Made of RNA: Development and Application of Engineered RNAs for Gene Therapy
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Protein Aggregation and Its Consequences for Human Disease
Protein & Peptide Letters Structural Changes in Alzheimers Disease Brain Microvessels
Current Alzheimer Research