Cognitive function and brain structure correlates in individuals with subjective cognitive decline: Voxel‐based morphometry results from a lifestyle intervention to prevent Alzheimer’s disease (PENSA study)

• DOI: 10.1002/alz.064849
• Publication Date: 2023-06-16T09:27:48Z
• Authors: Thais Lorenzo; Aida Cuenca; Grégory Operto; Carles Falcon; Albert Puig‐Pijoan; Laura Forcano; Iris Piera; Anna Boronat; Iva Knezevic; Ilario de Toma; Natalia Soldevila...; Karine Fauria; Jose Luis Molinuevo; Juan Domingo Gispert; Rafael de la Torre
• Keywords: Cognitive Decline; Boston Naming Test; Stroop effect; Verbal fluency test; Trail Making Test; Montreal Cognitive Assessment; Memory span

Abstract Background Interventions based on the modification of several lifestyle factors have provided promising results to maintain cognitive function in late/middle‐aged individuals at higher risk developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Framed under WW‐FINGERS network, PENSA clinical trial is focused prevention decline with subjective who are also APOEε4 carriers. It consists a 12‐month multimodal intervention supplemented EGCG, natural flavonoid from green tea. In this study, we looked for brain structure correlates performance participants baseline. Methods One hundred thirty‐one (N = 131) study baseline [ Table 1 ] valid T1w, T2w and FLAIR MRI scans were included. They underwent neuropsychological assessment battery consisting modified Alzheimer Disease Cooperative Study ‐ Preclinical Cognitive Composite (ADCS‐PACC‐Plus‐exe) that includes MMSE, Free Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT), Delayed Recall Logical Memory (DRLM), Five Digits Test, Digit Symbol Substitution Stroop. Additional measurements obtained semantic verbal fluency (SVF), Boston Naming digit span subtest, visual puzzle subtest (VPT) Montreal Assessment. images used segment white matter hyperintensities perform lesion filling procedure T1w images. These two later modalities then entered into segmentation SPM12 voxel‐based morphometry pipeline. Associations between test scores grey volumes (GMv) sought (p<0.001) including age, sex, education, total intracranial volume as confounders. Results A positive association was found (p uncorr <0.001; k>200) GMv ADCS‐PACC‐Plus‐exe composite Figure bilateral hippocampus, amygdala, entorhinal parahippocampal gyri. Additionally, correlations FCSRT, DRLM, VPT SVF tests albeit less consistent regional patterns. No associations remaining tests. Conclusion sample high AD, associated areas known be affected AD. suggest might sensitive detect subtle changes cognitively unimpaired at‐risk individuals.