Executive function and cortical thickness in biomarker aMCI

Memory deficits are the primary symptom in amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI); however, executive function (EF) deficits are common. The current study examined EF in aMCI based upon amyloid status (A+/A−) and regional atrophy in signature areas of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Participants included 110 individuals with aMCI (A+ = 66; A− = 44) and 33 cognitively healthy participants (HP). EF was assessed using four neuropsychological assessment measures. The cortical thickness of the AD signature areas was calculated using structural MRI data. A + had greater EF deficits and cortical atrophy relative to A − in the supramarginal gyrus and superior parietal lobule. A − had greater EF deficits relative to HP, but no difference in signature area cortical thickness. The current study found that the degree of EF deficits in aMCI are a function of amyloid status and cortical thinning in the parietal cortex.

遗忘型轻度认知障碍（amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment, aMCI）的核心临床表现为记忆缺损，但执行功能（executive function, EF）缺损亦较为普遍。本研究基于淀粉样蛋白状态（A+/A−）与阿尔茨海默病（Alzheimer’s disease, AD）特征脑区的局部萎缩情况，对遗忘型轻度认知障碍患者的执行功能展开了分析。本研究共纳入110例遗忘型轻度认知障碍患者（其中A+组66例，A−组44例）及33例认知健康对照者（HP）。研究采用四项神经心理学测评工具对执行功能进行评估，通过结构磁共振成像（structural MRI）数据计算阿尔茨海默病特征脑区的皮层厚度。相较于A−组，A+组患者在缘上回与顶上小叶的执行功能缺损程度更显著，皮层萎缩程度更严重；A−组患者的执行功能缺损程度显著高于认知健康对照者，但两组的特征脑区皮层厚度无明显差异。本研究发现，遗忘型轻度认知障碍患者的执行功能缺损程度与淀粉样蛋白状态及顶叶皮层的皮层变薄程度密切相关。