Exploring the Role of Locus Coeruleus in Alzheimer ’s Disease: a Comprehensive Update on MRI Studies and Implications

AbstractPurpose of ReviewPerforming a thorough review of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies assessing locus coeruleus (LC) integrity in ageing and Alzheimer ’s disease (AD), and contextualizing them with current preclinical and neuropathological literature.Recent FindingsMRI successfully detected LC alterations in ageing and AD, identifying degenerative phenomena involving this nucleus even in the prodromal stages of the disorder. The degree of LC disruption was also associated with the severity of AD cortical pathology, cognitive and behavioral impairment, and the risk of clinical progression.SummaryLocus coeruleus-MRI has proved to be a useful tool to assess the integrity of the central noradrenergic system in vivo in humans. It allowed to test in patients preclinical and experimental hypothesis, thus confirming the specific and marked involvement of the LC in AD and its key pathogenetic role. Locus coeruleus-MRI –related data might represent the theoretical basis on which to start developing noradrenergic drugs to target AD.
Source: Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research