Imagine the human brain as a bustling city, with important hubs connecting different neighborhoods. In Alzheimer’s disease, these hub regions, called the rich-club, play a crucial role in cognitive function. But are there differences in the rich-club between men and women with AD? Scientists investigated this question by studying brain images of 826 individuals, including cognitively unimpaired individuals and those with AD. They found that women with AD had lower structural connectivity strength in the rich-club and feeder connections compared to men. Interestingly, there was also a significant group-by-sex interaction in the feeder connections located in the thalamus. Furthermore, the strength of connectivity in the thalamus was related to cognitive function only in men with prodromal AD and women with AD dementia. These findings highlight sex-specific alterations in the brain network of individuals with AD. To learn more about this fascinating research, dive into the full article!
Background and objectivesAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is more prevalent in women than in men; however, there is a discrepancy in research on sex differences in AD. The human brain is a large-scale network with hub regions forming a central core, the rich-club, which is vital to cognitive functions. However, it is unknown whether alterations in the rich-clubs in AD differ between men and women. We aimed to investigate sex differences in the rich-club organization in the brains of patients with AD.MethodsIn total, 260 cognitively unimpaired individuals with negative amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) scans, 281 with prodromal AD (mild cognitive impairment due to AD) and 285 with AD dementia who confirmed with positive amyloid PET scans participated in the study. We obtained high-resolution T1-weighted and diffusion tensor images and performed network analysis.ResultsWe observed sex differences in the rich-club and feeder connections in patients with AD, suggesting lower structural connectivity strength in women than in men. We observed a significant group-by-sex interaction in the feeder connections, particularly in the thalamus. In addition, the connectivity strength of the thalamus in the feeder connections was significantly correlated with general cognitive function in only men with prodromal AD and women with AD dementia.ConclusionOur findings provide important evidence for sex-specific alterations in the structural brain network related to AD.
Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
Dr. Lowemann’s influence extends to the educational platform BetterSmarter.me, where he shares his insights, findings, and personal development strategies with a broader audience. His ongoing mission is shaping the way we perceive and leverage the vast capacities of the human mind, offering invaluable contributions to society’s overall success and collective well-being.