Neuroimaging markers of global cognition in early Alzheimer's disease: A magnetic resonance imaging-electroencephalography study

Markus Waser*, Thomas Benke, Peter Dal-Bianco, Heinrich Garn, Jochen A Mosbacher, Gerhard Ransmayr, Reinhold Schmidt, Stephan Seiler, Helge Bjarup Dissing Sørensen, Poul J Jennum

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

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Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) are a promising means to an objectified assessment of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Individually, however, these modalities tend to lack precision in both AD diagnosis and AD staging. A joint MRI-EEG approach that combines structural with functional information has the potential to overcome these limitations. This cross-sectional study systematically investigated the link between MRI and EEG markers and the global cognitive status in early AD. We hypothesized that the joint modalities would identify cognitive deficits with higher accuracy than the individual modalities. In a cohort of 111 AD patients, we combined MRI measures of cortical thickness and regional brain volume with EEG measures of rhythmic activity, information processing and functional coupling in a generalized multiple regression model. Machine learning classification was used to evaluate the markers' utility in accurately separating the subjects according to their cognitive score. We found that joint measures of temporal volume, cortical thickness, and EEG slowing were well associated with the cognitive status and explained 38.2% of ifs variation. The inclusion of the covariates age, sex, and education considerably improved the model. The joint markers separated the subjects with an accuracy of 84.7%, which was considerably higher than by using individual modalities. These results suggest that including joint MRI-EEG markers may be beneficial in the diagnostic workup, thus allowing for adequate treatment. Further studies in larger populations, with a longitudinal design and validated against functional-metabolic imaging are warranted to confirm the results.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere01197
JournalBrain and Behavior
Number of pages11
ISSN2162-3279
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Keywords

  • Alzheimer disease
  • Cognition
  • Electroencephalography
  • Magnetic resonance imaging

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