Bridging cognitive reserve and cerebellar networks: counteracting brain damage in patients with Alzheimer's disease at different clinical stages.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition characterized by cognitive decline and brain atrophy. Recent evidence shows that the cerebellum also undergoes structural and functional alterations. The concept of cognitive reserve (CR) explains individual resilience to brain pathology, while the hypothesis of cerebellar cognitive reserve (CbCR) sustains an enhanced activity in cerebellar networks at rest and a more efficient recruitment of accessory areas during cognitive tasks. This study investigated structural connectivity changes in cerebellar-cortical networks across the AD continuum.

Methods

A total of 179 participants were enrolled, encompassing 46 AD patients, 51 with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), 46 with subjective cog

SUBMITTER: Serra L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12920246 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature