Alterations in dorsal and ventral posterior cingulate connectivity in APOE ε4 carriers at risk of Alzheimer's disease

Rebecca Kerestes, Pramit M. Phal, Chris Steward, Bradford A. Moffat, Simon Salinas, Kay L Cox, Kathryn A. Ellis, Elizabeth V Cyarto, David Ames, Ralph Martins, Colin L. Masters, Christopher C. Rowe, Matthew J. Sharman, Olivier Salvado, Cassandra Szoeke, Michelle Lai, Nicola T. Lautenschlager, Patricia M. Desmond

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)
35 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background Recent evidence suggests that exercise plays a role in cognition and that the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) can be divided into dorsal and ventral subregions based on distinct connectivity patterns. Aims To examine the effect of physical activity and division of the PCC on brain functional connectivity measures in subjective memory complainers (SMC) carrying the epsilon 4 allele of apolipoprotein E (APOE ε4) allele. Method Participants were 22 SMC carrying the APOE ε4 allele (ε4+; mean age 72.18 years) and 58 SMC non-carriers (ε4-; mean age 72.79 years). Connectivity of four dorsal and ventral seeds was examined. Relationships between PCC connectivity and physical activity measures were explored. Results ε4+ individuals showed increased connectivity between the dorsal PCC and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and the ventral PCC and supplementary motor area (SMA). Greater levels of physical activity correlated with the magnitude of ventral PCC-SMA connectivity. Conclusions The results provide the first evidence that ε4+ individuals at increased risk of cognitive decline show distinct alterations in dorsal and ventral PCC functional connectivity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)139-148
Number of pages18
JournalBJPsych Open
Volume1
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2015
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Copyright the Publisher 2015. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

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