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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

Published in:

01-03-2016 | Original Article

Does posterior cingulate hypometabolism result from disconnection or local pathology across preclinical and clinical stages of Alzheimer’s disease?

Authors: Stefan Teipel, Michel J. Grothe, for the Alzheimer´s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Issue 3/2016

Abstract

Purpose

Posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) hypometabolism as measured by FDG PET is an indicator of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in prodromal stages, such as in mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and has been found to be closely associated with hippocampus atrophy in AD dementia. We studied the effects of local and remote atrophy and of local amyloid load on the PCC metabolic signal in patients with different preclinical and clinical stages of AD.

Methods

We determined the volume of the hippocampus and PCC grey matter based on volumetric MRI scans, PCC amyloid load based on AV45 PET, and PCC metabolism based on FDG PET in 667 subjects participating in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative spanning the range from cognitively normal ageing through prodromal AD to AD dementia.

Results

In cognitively normal individuals and those with early MCI, PCC hypometabolism was exclusively associated with hippocampus atrophy, whereas in subjects with late MCI it was associated with both local and remote effects of atrophy as well as local amyloid load. In subjects with AD dementia, PCC hypometabolism was exclusively related to local atrophy.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the effects of remote pathology on PCC hypometabolism decrease and the effects of local pathology increase from preclinical to clinical stages of AD, consistent with a progressive disconnection of the PCC from downstream cortical and subcortical brain regions.

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Title: Does posterior cingulate hypometabolism result from disconnection or local pathology across preclinical and clinical stages of Alzheimer’s disease?
Authors: Stefan Teipel
Michel J. Grothe
for the Alzheimer´s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Publication date: 01-03-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging / Issue 3/2016
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-015-3222-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Does posterior cingulate hypometabolism result from disconnection or local pathology across preclinical and clinical stages of Alzheimer’s disease?

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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