White Matter Hyperintensity Volume and Amyloid-PET Synergistically Impact Memory Independent of Tau-PET in Older Adults Without Dementia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cerebrovascular disease are common, co-existing pathologies in older adults. Whether the effects of cerebrovascular disease and AD biomarkers on cognition are additive or synergistic remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE:

To examine whether white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume moderates the independent association between each AD biomarker and cognition.

METHODS:

In 586 older adults without dementia, linear regressions tested the interaction between amyloid-β (Aβ) positron emission tomography (PET) and WMH volume on cognition, independent of tau-PET. We also tested the interaction between tau-PET and WMH volume on cognition, independent of Aβ-PET.

RESULTS:

Adjusting for tau-PET, the quadratic effect of WMH interacted with Aβ-PET to impact memory. There was no interaction between either the linear or quadratic effect of WMH and Aβ-PET on executive function. There was no interaction between WMH volume and tau-PET on either cognitive measure.

CONCLUSION:

Results suggest that cerebrovascular lesions act synergistically with Aβ to affect memory, independent of tau, highlighting the importance of incorporating vascular pathology into biomarker assessment of AD.

• Authors: Lauren Edwards, Kelsey R Thomas, Alexandra J Weigand, Emily C Edmonds, Alexandra L Clark, Kayla S Walker, Einat K Brenner, Daniel A Nation, Pauline Maillard, Mark W Bondi, Katherine J Bangen, Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
• Journal: Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD (J Alzheimers Dis) Vol. 94 Issue 2 Pg. 695-707 ( 2023) ISSN: 1875-8908 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 37302031 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• tau Proteins
• Amyloid beta-Peptides
• Amyloid
• Biomarkers

Topics

• Humans
• Aged
• White Matter (pathology)
• tau Proteins (metabolism)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Alzheimer Disease (pathology)
• Amyloid beta-Peptides (metabolism)
• Positron-Emission Tomography
• Cerebrovascular Disorders (complications)
• Amyloid
• Biomarkers
• Cognitive Dysfunction (pathology)