Imagine you’re a detective investigating a crime scene. You use your detective skills to uncover clues and piece together the puzzle. Similarly, scientists conducted a pilot study using resting-state-functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to investigate the link between brain function and amyloid-β (Aβ) uptake in high-risk populations for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The participants included individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and subjective cognitive decline (SCD), who are more susceptible to developing AD. They compared the patterns of fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) in these high-risk groups with healthy elderly individuals. The results showed altered neural activity in specific brain regions in both the SCD and T2DM groups compared to the healthy controls. Interestingly, the correlation between fALFF signals and amyloid deposition varied across different brain regions. The study suggests that very early amyloid deposition affects the default mode network (DMN), which is crucial for our brain’s natural resting state. To dive deeper into these findings and explore the intricate relationship between brain function, amyloid uptake, and high-risk populations, check out the full research article!

BackgroundPatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) have a higher risk to develop Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Resting-state-functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was used to document neurological involvement in the two groups from the aspect of brain dysfunction. Accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) starts decades ago before the onset of clinical symptoms and may already have been associated with brain function in high-risk populations. However, this study aims to compare the patterns of fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) maps between cognitively normal high-risk groups (SCD and T2DM) and healthy elderly and evaluate the association between regional amyloid deposition and local fALFF signals in certain cortical regions.Materials and methodsA total of 18 T2DM, 11 SCD, and 18 healthy elderlies were included in this study. The differences in the fALFF maps were compared between HC and high-risk groups. Regional amyloid deposition and local fALFF signals were obtained and further correlated in two high-risk groups.ResultsCompared to HC, the altered fALFF signals of regions were shown in SCD such as the left posterior cerebellum, left putamen, and cingulate gyrus. The T2DM group illustrated altered neural activity in the superior temporal gyrus, supplementary motor area, and precentral gyrus. The correlation between fALFF signals and amyloid deposition was negative in the left anterior cingulate cortex for both groups. In the T2DM group, a positive correlation was shown in the right occipital lobe and left mesial temporal lobe.ConclusionThe altered fALFF signals were demonstrated in high-risk groups compared to HC. Very early amyloid deposition in SCD and T2DM groups was observed to affect the neural activity mainly involved in the default mode network (DMN).

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