title: Longitudinal Changes in Functional Brain Connectivity Predicts Conversion to Alzheimer's Disease.
abstract: This longitudinal study investigates the modifications in structure and function occurring to typical Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains over a 2-year follow-up, from pre-dementia stages of disease, with the aim of identifying biomarkers of prognostic value. Thirty-one patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment were recruited and followed-up with clinical, neuropsychological, and MRI assessments. Patients were retrospectively classified as AD Converters or Non-Converters, and the data compared between groups. Cross-sectional MRI data at baseline, assessing volume and functional connectivity abnormalities, confirmed previous findings, showing a more severe pattern of regional grey matter atrophy and default-mode network disconnection in Converters than in Non-Converters. Longitudinally, Converters showed more grey matter atrophy in the frontotemporal areas, accompanied by increased connectivity in the precuneus. Discriminant analysis revealed that functional connectivity of the precuneus within the default mode network at baseline is the parameter able to correctly classify patients in Converters and Non-Converters with high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy.
authors.affiliation: Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.affiliation: Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.|Brighton & Sussex Medical School, CISC, University of Sussex, Brighton, Falmer East Sussex, UK.
authors.forename: Mara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cercignani
authors.affiliation: Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mastropasqua
authors.affiliation: Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torso
authors.affiliation: Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Spanò
authors.affiliation: Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Makovac
authors.affiliation: Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Vanda
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Viola
authors.affiliation: Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giulietti
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Camillo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marra
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy.|Department of Clinical and Behavioural Neurology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caltagirone
authors.affiliation: Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bozzali
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001284:Atrophy; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D066128:Gray Matter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012146:Rest
keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; functional disconnection; grey matter atrophy; longitudinal study; mild cognitive impairment