Parietal cortex activation predicts memory decline in apolipoprotein E-epsilon4 carriers.
Apolipoprotein E-epsilon4 is the main known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Functional abnormalities in the parietal cortex have been reported for Alzheimer's disease patients and also for those at risk. Hence, a critical question is whether measurements of parietal cortex integrity may predict negative outcome among at-risk persons. We studied nondemented apolipoprotein E-epsilon4 carriers and found a significant relationship between parietal blood-oxygen-level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging response during a word categorization task and subsequent episodic memory performance. Thus, the results show that parietal cortex alterations predict memory decline in nondemented apolipoprotein E-epsilon4 carriers, and hence likely progression to Alzheimer's disease.
Lind
Johanna
J
Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, MR Research Center, Karolinska Hospital, and Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden. Johanna.lind@ki.se
Ingvar
Martin
M
Persson
Jonas
J
Sleegers
Kristel
K
Van Broeckhoven
Christine
C
Adolfsson
Rolf
R
Nilsson
Lars-Göran
LG
Nyberg
Lars
L
D000368:Aged; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000235:genetics*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D005260:Female; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
D053327:Apolipoprotein E4