The Relationship of Current Cognitive Activity to Brain Amyloid Burden and Glucose Metabolism.

ABSTRACT: Several studies have investigated how lifetime cognitive engagement affects levels of amyloid-beta (A?) deposition in the brain. However, there has been some disagreement, leaving the relationship of cognitive activity (CA) to A? a largely open question. The present study investigated the relationship between CA, A? deposition, and glucose metabolism. One hundred nine cognitively normal participants underwent Pittsburgh Compound-B (PiB) and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography and completed a questionnaire designed to measure current CA. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in PiB retention between those in the high and low CA groups. Linear regression models revealed a significant negative relationship between PiB retention and CA and a significant positive relationship between glucose metabolism and CA. These data suggest that CA may have a direct beneficial effect on the pathophysiology of AD or reflect another underlying process that results in both higher CA and lower AD pathophysiology.

SUBMITTER: Lyons CE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6482956 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature