Structural neuroimaging in preclinical dementia: from microstructural deficits and grey matter atrophy to macroscale connectomic changes.

Structural neuroimaging in preclinical dementia: from microstructural deficits and grey matter atrophy to macroscale connectomic changes.
Ageing Res Rev. 2016 Oct 21;:
Authors: Mak E, Gabel S, Mirette H, Su L, Williams GB, Waldman A, Wells K, Ritchie K, Ritchie C, O'Brien J
Abstract
The last decade has witnessed a proliferation of neuroimaging studies characterising brain changes associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), where both widespread atrophy and 'signature' brain regions have been implicated. In parallel, a prolonged latency period has been established in AD, with abnormal cerebral changes beginning many years before symptom onset. This raises the possibility of early therapeutic intervention, even before symptoms, when treatments could have the greatest effect on disease-course modification. Two important prerequisites of this endeavour are (1) accurate characterisation or risk stratification and (2) monitoring of progression using neuroimaging outcomes as a surrogate biomarker in those without symptoms but who will develop AD, here referred to as preclinical AD. Structural neuroimaging modalities have been used to identify brain changes related to risk factors for AD, such as familial genetic mutations, risk genes (for example apolipoprotein epsilon-4 allele), and/or family history. In this review, we summarise structural imaging findings in preclinical AD. Overall, the literature suggests early vulnerability in characteri...

Source: Ageing Research Reviews - October 20, 2016 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Mak E, Gabel S, Mirette H, Su L, Williams GB, Waldman A, Wells K, Ritchie K, Ritchie C, O'Brien J Tags: Ageing Res Rev Source Type: research