UC Irvine

Introduction

We tested whether Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology predicts memory deficits in non-demented older adults through its effects on medial temporal lobe (MTL) subregional volume.

Methods

Thirty-two, non-demented older adults with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (amyloid-beta [Aβ]₄₂/Aβ₄₀, phosphorylated tau [p-tau]₁₈₁, total tau [t-tau]), positron emission tomography (PET; 18F-florbetapir), high-resolution structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and neuropsychological assessment were analyzed. We examined relationships between biomarkers and a highly granular measure of memory consolidation, retroactive interference (RI).

Results

Biomarkers of AD pathology were related to RI. Dentate gyrus (DG) and CA3 volume were uniquely associated with RI, whereas CA1 and BA35 volume were related to both RI and overall memory recall. AD pathology was associated with reduced BA35, CA1, and subiculum volume. DG volume and Aβ were independently associated with RI, whereas CA1 volume mediated the relationship between AD pathology and RI.

Discussion

Integrity of distinct hippocampal subfields demonstrate differential relationships with pathology and memory function, indicating specificity in vulnerability and contribution to different memory processes.