| Title: |
Amyloid accumulation, brain atrophy, and cognitive decline in emergent Alzheimer's disease |
| Authors: |
Xia, Y; Bourgeat, P; Doré, V; Fripp, J; Lim, YY; Laws, SM; Fowler, C; Rowe, CC; Masters, CL; Coulson, EJ; Maruff, P |
| Publisher Information: |
Wiley |
| Publication Year: |
2025 |
| Collection: |
The University of Melbourne: Digital Repository |
| Description: |
INTRODUCTION: Emergent Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents a transitional stage where cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals exhibit subthreshold but increasing amyloid-β (Aβ) levels. The impact of Aβ accumulation on brain volume loss and cognition during this early stage remains unclear. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 408 CU participants who were initially Aβ- (< 15 Centiloids) and followed for up to 15 years. Changes in basal forebrain and hippocampal volume, along with domain-specific cognitive performance, were compared between those who progressed to Aβ+ (≥20 Centiloids) and those who remained Aβ-. RESULTS: Sixty-five CU participants progressed to Aβ+, indicating emergent AD, and showed faster Aβ accumulation and subtle memory decline. However, no significant differences in rate of BF and hippocampal atrophy were observed between groups. DISCUSSION: The results suggest that during this emergent phase of AD, Aβ accumulation is associated with episodic memory loss, in the absence of detectable accelerated brain atrophy. HIGHLIGHTS: Identified cognitively unimpaired individuals in the emergent stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD).Emergent AD exhibits a greater rate of amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation.No accelerated volume loss detected in the basal forebrain or hippocampus.Emergent AD is also associated with a subtle decline in memory.Early Aβ accumulation may impair cognitive function before structural atrophy. |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
English |
| ISSN: |
2352-8729 |
| Relation: |
pii: DAD270155; https://hdl.handle.net/11343/364071 |
| Availability: |
https://hdl.handle.net/11343/364071 |
| Rights: |
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 ; CC BY |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.9D58104A |
| Database: |
BASE |