Exciting networks: multi-modal mapping and modulating network breakdown in early Alzheimers disease

令人兴奋的网络：早期阿尔茨海默病的多模式映射和调节网络崩溃

• 批准号: 236464165
• 负责人: Dr. Heidi Jacobs, Ph.D.
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS)
• 依托单位国家: 德国
• 项目类别: Research Grants
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 德国
• 起止时间: 2012-12-31 至 2016-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gepris.dfg.de/gepris/projekt/236464165?language=en
• 关键词: Exciting; networks; multi; modal; mapping

Cellular, animal and human neuroimaging studies indicate that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with a disruption of neural networks between the medial temporal and parietal regions, underlying the cognitive problems observed. This breakdown is closely associated with the spatial distribution of pathology. To date, few studies have examined whether changing neuronal excitability in these networks could have a positive effect on cognitive functioning in AD, and no study has yet investigated the potential of altering multi-modal network integrity in AD patients by applying transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Therefore, we will implement a tDCS intervention in early AD, which is believed to alter neuronal excitability non-invasively. The main aims of the studies proposed in this application are to investigate in elderly subjects and patients suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early AD 1) the disease associated changes in neural network structure and function 2) the cognitive and physiological effects of tdcs and 3) the effects of tdcs on structural and functional connectivity via multimodal imaging. As prosperity increases, longevity increases, and old age carries the risk of dementia, AD is expected to increase dramatically. To date, AD can neither be successfully prevented nor treated. This poses a world-wide problem to health care, making the need to develop novel treatments urgent. The proposed studies aim at contributing to this issue by furthering our understanding of neural network pathology associated with AD and the modulation thereof.

细胞、动物和人类神经影像学研究表明，阿尔茨海默病（AD）与内侧颞叶和顶叶区域之间的神经网络破坏有关，这是观察到的认知问题的基础。这种分解与病理的空间分布密切相关。迄今为止，很少有研究探讨这些网络中神经元兴奋性的改变是否会对AD患者的认知功能产生积极影响，也没有研究调查通过经颅直流电刺激（tDCS）改变AD患者多模态网络完整性的可能性。因此，我们将在早期AD中实施tDCS干预，这被认为可以非侵入性地改变神经元的兴奋性。本研究的主要目的是通过多模态成像研究老年受试者和患有轻度认知障碍（MCI）和早期AD的患者1)疾病相关的神经网络结构和功能变化2)tdcs的认知和生理作用3)tdcs对结构和功能连接的影响。随着繁荣程度的提高、寿命的延长以及老年痴呆症的风险增加，预计老年痴呆症的发病率将急剧上升。迄今为止，阿尔茨海默病既不能成功地预防也不能成功地治疗。这给卫生保健带来了一个世界性的问题，迫切需要开发新的治疗方法。提出的研究旨在通过进一步了解与AD相关的神经网络病理及其调节来促进这一问题。

项目成果

Aberrant functional connectivity differentiates retrosplenial cortex from posterior cingulate cortex in prodromal Alzheimer's disease

• DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2016.04.010
• 发表时间: 2016-08-01
• 期刊: NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING
• 影响因子: 4.2
• 作者: Dillen, Kim N. H.;Jacobs, Heidi I. L.;Fink, Gereon R.
• 通讯作者: Fink, Gereon R.