Serra_et_al_JAD_accepted.pdf (9.48 MB)
Ventral tegmental area disconnection contributes two years early to correctly classify patients converted to Alzheimer's Disease: implications for treatment
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 23:54 authored by Laura Serra, Marcello D'Amelio, Sharon Esposito, Carlotta Di Domenico, Giacomo Koch, Camillo Marra, Nicola Biagio Mercuri, Carlo Caltagirone, Carlo Alberto Artusi, Leonardo Lopiano, Mara Cercignani, Marco BozzaliBackground: Recent cross-sectional studies highlighted the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) as an early pathophysiological event in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Objective: In this study, we longitudinally investigated by resting-state fMRI (RS-fMRI) a cohort of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD to evaluate the impact of VTA disconnection in predicting the conversion to AD. Methods: a cohort of 35 patients with MCI due to AD were recruited and followed-up for 24 months. They underwent cognitive evaluation and RS-fMRI to assess VTA connectivity at baseline and at follow-up. Results: At 24-month follow-up, 16 out of 35 patients converted to AD. Although converters and non-converters to AD did not differ in demographic and behavioral characteristics at baseline, the first group showed a significant reduction of VTA-driven connectivity in the posterior cingulate and precentral cortex. This pattern of additional disconnection in MCI-converters compared to non-converters remained substantially unchanged at 24-month follow-up. Discussion: This study reinforces the hypothesis of an early contribution of dopaminergic dysfunction to AD evolution by targeting the default-mode network. These results have potential implications for AD staging and prognosis and support new opportunities for therapeutic interventions to slow down disease progression
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
Journal of Alzheimer's DiseaseISSN
1387-2877Publisher
IOS PressExternal DOI
Issue
3Volume
82Page range
1-16Department affiliated with
- BSMS Neuroscience Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2021-05-19First Open Access (FOA) Date
2021-05-19First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2021-05-18Usage metrics
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