Uncovering Cerebral Blood Flow Patterns Corresponding to Amyloid-Beta Accumulations in Patients Across the Alzheimer’S Disease Continuum Using the Arterial Spin Labeling Publisher Pubmed



Daneshpour A¹ ; Nasiri H² ; Motamed AK³ ; Heidarzadeh N⁴ ; Fard AM^{1, 10} ; Koleini S⁵ ; Fakhimi F⁶ ; Abiri L⁷ ; Mayeli M⁸ ; Sadeghi M⁹ Show Affiliations
Source: Neurological Sciences Published:2025

Abstract

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder ranging from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to AD dementia. Abnormal cerebral perfusion alterations, influenced by amyloid-beta (Aβ) accumulations, have been implicated in cognitive decline along this spectrum. Objective: This study investigates the relationship between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Aβ1-42 levels and regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes across the AD continuum using the Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) technique. Methods: We analyzed data from 229 participants extracted from the ADNI cohort, comprising of 50 cognitively normal (CN), 13 subjective memory complaints (SMC), 83 early MCI (EMCI), 52 late MCI (LMCI), and 31 AD participants with complete ASL and CSF data. Correlations between Aβ1-42 levels and regional mean CBF values were assessed. Multiple linear regression models accounted for confounders, including age, gender, and education level. Results: Preliminary unadjusted analyses revealed strong positive correlations between Aβ1-42 levels and CBF in multiple regions, predominantly in the AD group. After adjusting for confounders, significant correlations in AD participants emerged in the left pars triangularis and left caudal middle frontal cortex. In the LMCI group, significant associations were identified in the right lateral occipital cortex, right inferior parietal cortex, and left amygdala. Conclusion: These findings highlight the critical role of Aβ-driven CBF alterations in regions associated with higher cognitive functions and suggest that these patterns may serve as potential biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring disease progression. © Fondazione Societa Italiana di Neurologia 2025.