1. Neurodegeneration, Alzheimer's disease biomarkers, and longitudinal verbal learning and memory performance in late middle age.
- Author
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Allison, Samantha L., Jonaitis, Erin M., Koscik, Rebecca L., Hermann, Bruce P., Mueller, Kimberly D., Cary, Robert P., Ma, Yue, Rowley, Howard A., Carlsson, Cynthia M., Asthana, Sanjay, Zetterberg, Henrik, Blennow, Kaj, Bendlin, Barbara B., and Johnson, Sterling C.
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VERBAL learning , *VERBAL memory , *ALZHEIMER'S disease , *MIDDLE age , *AUDITORY learning , *MIDDLE-aged persons - Abstract
This study examined the effect of neurodegeneration, and its interaction with Alzheimer's disease (AD) cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, on longitudinal verbal learning and memory performance in cognitively unimpaired (CU) late middle-aged adults. Three hundred and forty-two CU adults (cognitive baseline mean age = 58.4), with cerebrospinal fluid and structural MRI, completed 2–10 (median = 5) cognitive assessments. Learning and memory were assessed using the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). We used sequential comparison of nested linear mixed effects models to analyze the data. Model selection preserved a significant ptau 181 /Aβ 42 × global atrophy × age interaction; individuals with less global atrophy and lower ptau 181 /Aβ 42 levels had less learning and delayed recall decline than individuals with more global atrophy and/or higher levels of ptau 181 /Aβ 42. The hippocampal volume × age × ptau 181 /Aβ 42 interaction was not significant. Findings suggest that in a sample of CU late middle-aged adults, individuals with AD biomarkers, global atrophy, or both evidence greater verbal learning and memory decline than individuals without either risk factor. • Global & hippocampal atrophy associated with greater learning & memory decline. • High ptau 181 /A β 42 associated with greater learning & memory decline. • High global atrophy more strongly associated with decline when ptau 181 /A β 42 is low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
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