Visual Functions Are Associated with Biomarker Changes in Alzheimer’s Disease

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Memon, Ashar^{a; *} | Moore, Jasmine A.^{b; c; d} | Kang, Chris^{b; c} | Ismail, Zahinoor^{c; e} | Forkert, Nils D.^{b; c; e; f} | for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative¹

Affiliations: [a] Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada | [b] Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada | [c] Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada | [d] Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada | [e] Departments of Clinical Neurosciences, Psychiatry, Community Health Sciences, and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada | [f] Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, AB, Canada

Correspondence: [*] Correspondence to: Ashar Memon, Cumming School of Medicine, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2 N 4N1, Canada. Tel.: +1 403 220 6843; E-mail: [email protected].

Note: [1] Data used in preparation of this article were obtained from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database http://adni.loni.usc.edu.As such, the investigators within the ADNI contributed to the design and implementation of ADNI and/or provided data but did not participate in analysis or writing of this report. A complete listing of ADNI investigators can be found at: http://adni.loni.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/how_to_apply/ADNI_Acknowledgement_List.pdf

Abstract: Background:While various biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have been associated with general cognitive function, their association to visual-perceptive function across the AD spectrum warrant more attention due to its significant impact on quality of life. Thus, this study explores how AD biomarkers are associated with decline in this cognitive domain. Objective:To explore associations between various fluid and imaging biomarkers and visual-based cognitive assessments in participants across the AD spectrum. Methods:Data from participants (N = 1,460) in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative were analyzed, including fluid and imaging biomarkers. Along with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), three specific visual-based cognitive tests were investigated: Trail Making Test (TMT) A and TMT B, and the Boston Naming Test (BNT). Locally estimated scatterplot smoothing curves and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to examine associations. Results:MMSE showed the strongest correlations with most biomarkers, followed by TMT-B. The p-tau181/Aβ1–42 ratio, along with the volume of the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex, had the strongest associations among the biomarkers. Conclusions:Several biomarkers are associated with visual processing across the disease spectrum, emphasizing their potential in assessing disease severity and contributing to progression models of visual function and cognition.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, biomarkers, dementia, MRI, neuroimaging, visual processing

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-231084

Journal: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 99, no. 2, pp. 623-637, 2024