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Aβ and cognitive change: Examining the preclinical and prodromal stages of Alzheimer's disease
Author(s) -
Lim Yen Ying,
Maruff Paul,
Pietrzak Robert H.,
Ellis Kathryn A.,
Darby David,
Ames David,
Harrington Karra,
Martins Ralph N.,
Masters Colin L.,
Szoeke Cassandra,
Savage Greg,
Villemagne Victor L.,
Rowe Christopher C.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2013.11.005
Subject(s) - cognitive decline , prodromal stage , episodic memory , neurodegeneration , cognition , alzheimer's disease neuroimaging initiative , disease , neuroimaging , alzheimer's disease , medicine , psychology , cognitive impairment , dementia , gerontology , psychiatry
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.