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Neuroradiology

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11-12-2022 | Alzheimer's Disease | Functional Neuroradiology

Sex-dependent changes in emotional memory associated with cerebral blood flow alterations during Alzheimer’s disease progression

Authors: Ziwen Gao, Shanshan Zhou, Wanqiu Zhu, Hui Li, Ziang Huang, Yang Ji, Xiaoshu Li, Yongqiang Yu

Published in: Neuroradiology | Issue 4/2023

Abstract

Purpose

Sex differences in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progression provide clues to pathogenesis and better patient management. We examined sex differences in emotional memory among AD patients, amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) patients, and healthy controls (HCs) as well as potential associations with altered regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF).

Methods

The recognition memory task with emotional pictures was applied to evaluate enhancement of emotional memory (EEM) and 3D pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling MRI was performed to measure the rCBF in 74 AD patients (41 females), 74 aMCI patients (45 females), and 74 HCs (43 females). Group differences in EEM were tested by two-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with repeated measures. The main effects of clinical group and sex as well as group × sex interactions on rCBF were assessed by two-way ANCOVA. Correlation analyses were conducted to investigate associations between EEM and rCBF.

Results

With disease progression, EEM gradually disappeared. Among aMCI patients, females exhibited a greater index of recollection (Pr) for positive/high-arousal and negative/low-arousal pictures versus neutral pictures (P = 0.005, P = 0.003), while males exhibited a greater Pr for negative/high-arousal versus neutral pictures (P = 0.001). There were significant sex × group effects on rCBF in left inferior parietal, supramarginal, superior temporal and middle temporal gyri, and rCBF of left inferior parietal gyrus was correlated with Pr for positive/high-arousal pictures among female aMCI patients (r = 0.584, q = 0.005).

Conclusion

Males and females exhibit distinct changes in EEM associated with altered rCBF, which should be considered in future neuroimaging studies.

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Title: Sex-dependent changes in emotional memory associated with cerebral blood flow alterations during Alzheimer’s disease progression
Authors: Ziwen Gao
Shanshan Zhou
Wanqiu Zhu
Hui Li
Ziang Huang
Yang Ji
Xiaoshu Li
Yongqiang Yu
Publication date: 11-12-2022
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's Disease
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published in: Neuroradiology / Issue 4/2023
Print ISSN: 0028-3940
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1920
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-022-03099-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Sex-dependent changes in emotional memory associated with cerebral blood flow alterations during Alzheimer’s disease progression

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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