Relationships between executive control circuit activity, amyloid burden, and education in cognitively healthy older adults

Amyloid-beta (A β) protein is a key marker in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is associated with atrophy, decreases in glucose metabolism, worsening cognitive function, and changes in brain activation and connectivity.1-4 Previous studies have shown an accumulation of Aβ in pre-clinical AD and may r eflect early manifestation of AD pathology.5,6 A three-stage model for AD has been described: initial Aβ deposition, followed by neurodegeneration (including synaptic degeneration, neural atrophy, hypometabolism, and changes in connectivity), and finally progressive cognitive dysfunction.

Source: The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry - July 18, 2019 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Helmet T Karim, Dana L Tudorascu, Ann Cohen, Julie C Price, Brian Lopresti, Chester Mathis, William Klunk, Beth E. Snitz, Howard J Aizenstein Tags: Regular Research Article Source Type: research