Vascular risk and Aβ interact to reduce cortical thickness in AD vulnerable brain regions.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The objective of this study was to define whether vascular risk factors interact with β-amyloid (Aβ) in producing changes in brain structure that could underlie the increased risk of Alzheimer disease (AD).

Methods

Sixty-six cognitively normal and mildly impaired older individuals with a wide range of vascular risk factors were included in this study. The presence of Aβ was assessed using [(11)C]Pittsburgh compound B-PET imaging, and cortical thickness was measured using 3-tesla MRI. Vascular risk was measured with the Framingham Coronary Risk Profile Index.

Results

Individuals with high levels of vascular risk factors have thinner frontotemporal cortex independent of Aβ. These frontotemporal regions are also affected in individuals with Aβ deposition, but t

SUBMITTER: Villeneuve S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4114172 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature