AUTHOR=Jung Na-Yeon , Shin Jeong-Hyeon , Kim Hee Jin , Jang Hyemin , Moon Seung Hwan , Kim Seung Joo , Kim Yeshin , Cho Soo Hyun , Kim Ko Woon , Kim Jun Pyo , Jung Young Hee , Kim Sung Tae , Kim Eun-Joo , Na Duk L. , Vogel Jacob W. , Lee Sangjin , Seong Joon-Kyung , Seo Sang Won 

TITLE=Distinctive Mediating Effects of Subcortical Structure Changes on the Relationships Between Amyloid or Vascular Changes and Cognitive Decline

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neurology

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2021.762251

DOI=10.3389/fneur.2021.762251

ISSN=1664-2295

ABSTRACT=Objective: We investigated the mediation effects of subcortical volume change in the relationship of amyloid beta (Aβ) and lacune with cognitive function in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients. 
Methods: We prospectively recruited 101 MCI patients who were followed up with neuropsychological tests, MRI, or Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) PET for 3 years. The mediation effect of subcortical structure on the association of PiB or lacunes with cognitive function were analyzed using mixed effects models. 
Results: Volume changes in the amygdala and hippocampus partially mediated the effect of PiB changes on memory function [direct effect = -0.168/-0.175, indirect effect = -0.081/-0.077 for amygdala/hippocampus] and completely mediated the effect of PiB changes on clinical dementia rating scale sum of box (CDR-SOB) [indirect effect = 0.082/-0.116 for amygdala/hippocampus]. Volume changes in the thalamus completely mediated the effect of lacune on memory, frontal executive functions and CDR-SOB [indirect effect = -0.037, -0.056, and 0.047, respectively]. 
Conclusions: Our findings provide a better understanding of the distinct role of subcortical structures in the mediation of the relationships of amyloid or vascular changes with decline in specific cognitive domains.