A study has provided new insights into the loss of structure in regions of the brain and its potential association with Alzheimer’s disease. The findings suggest a build-up of deposits of the protein amyloid-beta in a region of the brain known as the temporal inferior cortex. The region is connected to the hippocampus, which is involved in memory.
Alzheimer’s is characterized by two factors: a build-up of amyloid-beta plaques in the brain, and a loss of neurons.
Dr Cassandra Szoeke said the puzzle for researchers was that the parts of the brain that had shrunk (atrophied) due to neuron loss were not the same as those showing increased deposits of amyloid-beta. Using MRI scans to study Alzheimer’s disease-affected brain tissue, the researchers found that shrinking (atrophy) of the hippocampus was associated with plaque deposits in the temporal inferior cortex.
The results indicate that the increased accumulation of amyloid in the temporal inferior cortex disrupts connections with the hippocampus, causing the neurons to die.
“By helping to better understand the mechanisms involved in the progression of the disease, the study may guide the development of new strategies for early diagnosis,” Dr Szoeke said.
The study involved advanced techniques for analysing and comparing different types of brain scans.
References:
1. Perrick Bourgeat, et al. ?-Amyloid burden in the temporal neocortex is related to hippocampal atrophy in elderly subjects without dementia. Neurology, Jan 2010; 74: 121 – 127. PMID: 20065247
