Aβ and cognitive change: Examining the preclinical and prodromal stages of Alzheimer's disease

Document Type

Journal Article

Publisher

Elsevier

Faculty

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School

School of Medical Sciences

RAS ID

18802

Comments

Lim Y.Y., Maruff P., Pietrzak R.H., Ellis K.A., Darby D., Ames D., Harrington K., Martins R.N., Masters C.L., Szoeke C., Savage G., Villemagne V.L., Rowe C.C. (2014). Aβ and cognitive change: Examining the preclinical and prodromal stages of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's and Dementia, 10(6), 743-751.. Available here

Abstract

Background: High β-amyloid (Aβ) is associated with faster memory decline in healthy individuals and adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, longer prospective studies are required to determine if Aβ-related memory decline continues and whether it is associated with increased rate of disease progression. Methods: Healthy controls (HCs; n = 177) and adults with MCI (n = 48) underwent neuroimaging for Aβ and cognitive assessment at baseline. Cognition was reassessed 18 and 36 months later. Results: Compared with low-Aβ HCs, high-Aβ HC and MCI groups showed moderate decline in episodic and working memory over 36 months. Those with MCI with low Aβ did not show any cognitive decline. Rates of disease progression were increased in the high-Aβ HC and MCI groups. Conclusions: In healthy individuals, high Aβ likely indicates that Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related neurodegeneration has begun. Once commenced, the rate of decline in cognitive function remains constant across the preclinical and prodromal stages of AD.

DOI

10.1016/j.jalz.2013.11.005

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