Beta-amyloid deposition is associated with decreased processing speed and working memory but not reasoning or episodic memory in a highly screened healthy lifespan sample

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Beta-amyloid deposition is associated with decreased processing speed and working memory but not reasoning or episodic memory in a highly screened healthy lifespan sample Denise C. Park1*, Kristen M. Kennedy1, Karen M. Rodrigue1, Rieck R. Jennifer1, Blair Flicker1 and Michael D. Devous1 1 University of Texas at Dallas, United States Significant beta-amyloid deposition is seen in 20-30% of non-demented older adults. The cognitive sequelae of this deposition, however, remain unclear. The goal of the current study was to examine the association of cortical beta-amyloid deposition on various domains of cognitive performance that are typically sensitive to aging in a highly screened, lifespan sample of healthy adults. Participants (n = 88, aged 44-89) were scanned by PET using 18F-AV-45 which binds to amyloid plaques and were administered a range of cognitive tests. Cognitive construct composites with two or more measures each were calculated for speed of processing, working memory, reasoning, and episodic memory. Standardized uptake value ratios (SUVRs) were obtained from a priori masked regions of interest including anterior and posterior cingulate, precuneus, lateral temporal, frontal, parietal, and occipital cortices. We found that processing speed and working memory capacity were both reduced in individuals with greater amyloid burden, independent of the age effects on those cognitive domains. In contrast, reasoning and episodic memory were not associated with beta-amyloid burden beyond the effects of aging. Thus, beta-amyloid burden appears to exert an effect on the most basic cognitive measures (speed and working memory) whereas higher order cognition appears to be more protected from the effects of amyloid (verbal memory and reasoning). Funding: Supported in part by NIH grants 5R37AG-006265-25, 3R37AG-006265-25S1, and Alzheimer’s Association grant IIRG-09-135087. Keywords: Aging, PET Conference: XI International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON XI), Palma, Mallorca, Spain, 25 Sep - 29 Sep, 2011. Presentation Type: Symposium: Oral Presentation Topic: Symposium 22: Successful aging: a neurocognitive perspective Citation: Park DC, Kennedy KM, Rodrigue KM, Jennifer RR, Flicker B and Devous MD (2011). Beta-amyloid deposition is associated with decreased processing speed and working memory but not reasoning or episodic memory in a highly screened healthy lifespan sample. Conference Abstract: XI International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON XI). doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2011.207.00594 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 14 Nov 2011; Published Online: 28 Nov 2011. * Correspondence: Dr. Denise C Park, University of Texas at Dallas, Texas, United States, denise@utdallas.edu Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Denise C Park Kristen M Kennedy Karen M Rodrigue Rieck R Jennifer Blair Flicker Michael D Devous Google Denise C Park Kristen M Kennedy Karen M Rodrigue Rieck R Jennifer Blair Flicker Michael D Devous Google Scholar Denise C Park Kristen M Kennedy Karen M Rodrigue Rieck R Jennifer Blair Flicker Michael D Devous PubMed Denise C Park Kristen M Kennedy Karen M Rodrigue Rieck R Jennifer Blair Flicker Michael D Devous Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.