Synaptic density and cognitive performance in Alzheimer's disease: A PET imaging study with [¹¹ C]UCB-J.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

For 30 years synapse loss has been referred to as the major pathological correlate of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, this statement is based on remarkably few patients studied by autopsy or biopsy. With the recent advent of synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, we have begun to evaluate the consequences of synaptic alterations in vivo.

Methods

We examined the relationship between synaptic density measured by [¹¹ C]UCB-J PET and neuropsychological test performance in 45 participants with early AD.

Results

Global synaptic density showed a significant positive association with global cognition and performance on five individual cognitive domains in participants with early AD

SUBMITTER: Mecca AP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9381645 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature