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Relationships between Beta-Amyloid and Functional Connectivity in Different Components of the Default Mode Network in Aging CEREBRAL CORTEX Mormino, E. C., Smiljic, A., Hayenga, A. O., Onami, S. H., Greicius, M. D., Rabinovici, G. D., Janabi, M., Baker, S. L., Yen, I. V., Madison, C. M., Miller, B. L., Jagust, W. J. 2011; 21 (10): 2399-2407

Abstract

Although beta-amyloid (Aß) deposition is a characteristic feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD), this pathology is commonly found in elderly normal controls (NC). The pattern of Aß deposition as detected with Pittsburgh compound-B positron emission tomography (PIB-PET) imaging shows substantial spatial overlap with the default mode network (DMN), a group of brain regions that typically deactivates during externally driven cognitive tasks. In this study, we show that DMN functional connectivity (FC) during rest is altered with increasing levels of PIB uptake in NC. Specifically, FC decreases were identified in regions implicated in episodic memory (EM) processing (posteromedial cortex, ventral medial prefrontal cortex, and angular gyrus), whereas connectivity increases were detected in dorsal and anterior medial prefrontal and lateral temporal cortices. This pattern of decreases is consistent with previous studies that suggest heightened vulnerability of EM-related brain regions in AD, whereas the observed increases in FC may reflect a compensatory response.

View details for DOI 10.1093/cercor/bhr025

View details for Web of Science ID 000294808800020

View details for PubMedID 21383234

View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3169663