Abstract
This study aimed to explore the structural and functional characteristics of the neural network of resting-state brain activities in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technology. Resting state fMRI scanning was performed on 10 clinically diagnosed aMCI patients and 10 healthy volunteers, and the difference in the resting-state brain activities between aMCI patients and healthy volunteers was compared using the brain function network regional homogeneity (ReHo) analysis method. Results of the ReHo analysis of aMCI patients and healthy volunteers revealed that the ReHo value significantly increased in the posterior cingulate gyrus region, medial frontal lobe, medial cortex of the prefrontal lobe, and part of the parietal lobe. Compared with the normal elderlies, ReHo decreased in aMCI patients in the left temporal lobe (middle temporal gyrus and inferior temporal gyrus), left parahippocampal gyrus, occipital lobe, lingual gyrus, precuneus, and other regions while ReHo increased in regions of the right frontal lobe (inferior frontal gyrus), left superior temporal gyrus, precentral gyrus (frontal lobe), right thalamus, left fusiform gyrus, and other regions. In the resting state, there may be regional abnormalities in brain functional areas in aMCI patients, which may be associated with cognitive impairment.
Highlights
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of senile dementia
According to the diagnostic criteria of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (aMCI) proposed by Petersen et al in 2001 [1], inclusion criteria were as follows: 1) patients between 65–75 years old with Han nationality and right-handed; 2) patients whose chief complaint was memory loss, and this symptom had been lasting for more than six months; 3) patients with normal general cognitive function and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores between 24–28 points; 4) patients whose ability of daily life was preserved and had ability of daily living (ADL) scores of o26 points; 5) cognitive disorders did not meet the diagnosis of dementia, and the clinical dementia rating (CDR) scale score was 0.5 points
Compared with the normal elderlies, regional homogeneity (ReHo) values decreased in aMCI patients in the left temporal lobe, left parahippocampal gyrus, occipital lobe, lingual gyrus, precuneus, and other regions (Po0.05; Figure 3, Table 1), while ReHo values increased in the right side frontal lobe, left superior temporal gyrus, precentral gyrus, right thalamus, the left fusiform gyrus, and other regions (Po0.05; Figure 4, Table 2)
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of senile dementia It is characterized by progressive memory loss, which gradually impacts a patient’s cognition and non-cognitive functions. A study on amnestic mild cognitive impairment cognition in aMCI, were altered, and provided new insight into understanding the important subtype of aMCI [5]. In the present study, resting fMRI technology was used to compare the ReHo between normal elderlies and aMCI patients, aiming to explore the homogeneity and differences of brain functional activities in the resting state in both populations, and to provide a candidate region of interest for subsequent study on brain functional connectivity, as well as a basis for the early diagnosis of aMCI
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