Open AccessRates of age‐ and amyloid β‐associated cortical atrophy in older adults with superior memory performance
Author(s) -
Dang Christa,
Yassi Nawaf,
Harrington Karra D.,
Xia Ying,
Lim Yen Ying,
Ames David,
Laws Simon M.,
Hickey Martha,
RaineySmith Stephanie,
Sohrabi Hamid R.,
Doecke James D.,
Fripp Jurgen,
Salvado Olivier,
Snyder Peter J.,
Weinborn Michael,
Villemagne Victor L.,
Rowe Christopher C.,
Masters Colin L.,
Maruff Paul,
Chambers Brian,
Chiu Edmond,
Clarnette Roger,
Darby David,
Davison Mary,
Drago John,
Drysdale Peter,
Gilbert Jacqueline,
Lim Kwang,
Lautenschlager Nicola,
LoGiudice Dina,
McCardle Peter,
McFarlane Steve,
Mander Alastair,
Merory John,
O'Connor Daniel,
Scholes Ron,
Samuel Mathew,
Trivedi Darshan,
Woodward Michael
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia: diagnosis, assessment and disease monitoring
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.497
H-Index - 37
ISSN - 2352-8729
DOI - 10.1016/j.dadm.2019.05.005
Subject(s) - atrophy , neurodegeneration , pittsburgh compound b , cognitive decline , psychology , cognition , audiology , neuroscience , medicine , pathology , cognitive impairment , disease , dementia
Superior cognitive performance in older adults may reflect underlying resistance to age‐associated neurodegeneration. While elevated amyloid β (Aβ) deposition (Aβ+) has been associated with increased cortical atrophy, it remains unknown whether “SuperAgers” may be protected from Aβ‐associated neurodegeneration. Methods Neuropsychologically defined SuperAgers (n = 172) and cognitively normal for age (n = 172) older adults from the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle study were case matched. Rates of cortical atrophy over 8 years were examined by SuperAger classification and Aβ status. Results Of the case‐matched SuperAgers and cognitively normal for age older adults, 40.7% and 40.1%, respectively, were Aβ+. Rates of age‐ and Aβ‐associated atrophy did not differ between the groups on any measure. Aβ− individuals displayed the slowest rates of atrophy. Discussion Maintenance of superior memory in late life does not reflect resistance to age‐ or Aβ‐associated atrophy. However, those individuals who reached old age without cognitive impairment nor elevated Aβ deposition (i.e. Aβ−) displayed reduced rates of cortical atrophy.