Abstract
This study investigates the patho-physiological implications of the uncinate fasciculus (UF) in the two most common forms of dementia, namely Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Forty-five consecutive patients diagnosed with either probable AD or DLB, and 16 individuals with amnesic mild cognitive impairment (a-MCI) were investigated using diffusion tensor MRI. Thirteen healthy subjects (HS) were also studied as controls. In each subject, the UF was bilaterally reconstructed by probabilistic tractography. From each UF, macroscopic volume and correspondent fractional anisotropy (FA) (an index of microscopic white matter integrity) were derived for the whole tract, and for the frontal and temporal portion of the UF. No significant between-group volumetric differences were found. In contrast, FA values from the UF were reduced bilaterally in patients with dementia (either AD or DLB) compared to HS. In addition, patients with AD showed reduced FA values compared to those with a-MCI. No significant FA difference was found between AD and DLB patients, nor between a-MCI and HS. Finally, in all patients, UF FA values were associated with neuropsychological scores at tests exploring memory and executive functions. This study indicates that the UF is remarkably damaged in patients at the stage of dementia, independently from the diagnostic form. Moreover, this UF damage seems to be driven by temporal involvement in AD, for which a prodromal stage (a-MCI) is defined.
Keywords: Uncinate fasciculus, Alzheimer’s disease, Mild cognitive impairment, Dementia with Lewy bodies, Diffusion tensor imaging, tractography
Current Alzheimer Research
Title:White Matter Damage Along the Uncinate Fasciculus Contributes to Cognitive Decline in AD and DLB
Volume: 9 Issue: 3
Author(s): L. Serra, M. Cercignani, B. Basile, B. Spano, R. Perri, L. Fadda, C. Marra, F. Giubilei, C. Caltagirone and M. Bozzali
Affiliation:
Keywords: Uncinate fasciculus, Alzheimer’s disease, Mild cognitive impairment, Dementia with Lewy bodies, Diffusion tensor imaging, tractography
Abstract: This study investigates the patho-physiological implications of the uncinate fasciculus (UF) in the two most common forms of dementia, namely Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Forty-five consecutive patients diagnosed with either probable AD or DLB, and 16 individuals with amnesic mild cognitive impairment (a-MCI) were investigated using diffusion tensor MRI. Thirteen healthy subjects (HS) were also studied as controls. In each subject, the UF was bilaterally reconstructed by probabilistic tractography. From each UF, macroscopic volume and correspondent fractional anisotropy (FA) (an index of microscopic white matter integrity) were derived for the whole tract, and for the frontal and temporal portion of the UF. No significant between-group volumetric differences were found. In contrast, FA values from the UF were reduced bilaterally in patients with dementia (either AD or DLB) compared to HS. In addition, patients with AD showed reduced FA values compared to those with a-MCI. No significant FA difference was found between AD and DLB patients, nor between a-MCI and HS. Finally, in all patients, UF FA values were associated with neuropsychological scores at tests exploring memory and executive functions. This study indicates that the UF is remarkably damaged in patients at the stage of dementia, independently from the diagnostic form. Moreover, this UF damage seems to be driven by temporal involvement in AD, for which a prodromal stage (a-MCI) is defined.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Serra L., Cercignani M., Basile B., Spano B., Perri R., Fadda L., Marra C., Giubilei F., Caltagirone C. and Bozzali M., White Matter Damage Along the Uncinate Fasciculus Contributes to Cognitive Decline in AD and DLB, Current Alzheimer Research 2012; 9 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156720512800107555
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156720512800107555 |
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
-
Update on COX-2 Selective Inhibitors: Chemical Classification, Side Effects and their Use in Cancers and Neuronal Diseases
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Pharmacophore Identification and Quantitative Bioactivity Prediction Using the Electron-Conformational Method
Current Pharmaceutical Design Critical Role of the Endocannabinoid System in the Regulation of Food Intake and Energy Metabolism, with Phylogenetic, Developmental, and Pathophysiological Implications
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Small Molecule Modulation of p75 Neurotrophin Receptor Functions
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Genetics and Molecular Biology of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
Current Genomics Pathogenesis, Experimental Models and Contemporary Pharmacotherapy of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Story About the Brain-Gut Axis
Current Neuropharmacology Levofloxacin-Induced Delirium in a Patient Suffering from Schizoaffective Disorder and Multiple Sclerosis
Current Drug Safety Synaptic Plasticity as a Therapeutic Target in the Treatment of Autism-related Single-gene Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Design Medical Applications of Implantable Drug Delivery Microdevices Based on MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems)
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Definition of Genes and Paths Involved in Alzheimers Disease: Using Gene Expression Profiles and Chemical Genetics at the Mouse Brain Level
Current Genomics Pharmacological Management of Huntingtons Disease: An Evidence- Based Review
Current Pharmaceutical Design Three-dimensional Modelling of the Voltage-gated Sodium Ion Channel from Anopheles gambiae Reveals Spatial Clustering of Evolutionarily Conserved Acidic Residues at the Extracellular Sites
Current Neuropharmacology The Use of Microarrays to Study Childhood Developmental Brain Disorders
Current Genomics A Convenient, Solvent Free and High Yielding Synthesis of Bicyclo- Heterocyclic Compounds
Letters in Organic Chemistry Inquiries into the Biological Significance of Transmembrane AMPA Receptor Regulatory Protein (TARP) γ−8 Through Investigations of TARP γ−8 Null Mice§
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Inhibitors as Potential Drugs to Target Memory and Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis
Current Psychopharmacology Annual Trends in Use of Periconceptional Folic Acid and Birth Prevalence of Major Congenital Malformations
Current Drug Safety The Chemistry and Bio-Medicinal Significance of Pyrimidines & Condensed Pyrimidines
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Derivatives of Deoxypodophyllotoxin Induce Apoptosis through Bcl-2/Bax Proteins Expression
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Imidazoline Receptors, Novel Agents and Therapeutic Potential
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry