Multimodal Imaging Investigation of Rich Club Alterations in Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment: Amyloid Deposition, Structural Atrophy, and Functional Activation Differences

Abstract

0Alzheimers disease (AD) is characterized by significant cerebral dysfunction, including increased amyloid deposition, gray matter atrophy, and changes in brain function. The involvement of highly connected network hubs, known as the "rich club," in the pathology of the disease remains inconclusive despite previous research efforts. In this study, we aimed to systematically assess the link between the rich club and AD using a multimodal neuroimaging approach. We employed network analyses of diffusion MRI, longitudinal assessments of gray matter atrophy, amyloid deposition measurements using PET imaging, and meta-analytic data on functional activation differences. Our study focused on evaluating the role of both the core and extended rich club regions in individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and those diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease. Our findings revealed that rich club regions exhibited accelerated gray matter atrophy and increased amyloid deposition in both MCI and Alzheimers Disease. Importantly, these regions remained unaffected by altered functional activation patterns observed outside the core rich club regions. These results shed light on the connection between two major AD biomarkers and the rich club, providing valuable insights into AD as a potential disconnection syndrome.