Association Between Brain β-Amyloid and Frailty in Older Adults

Abstract

Background: We sought to determine whether cortical and regional β-amyloid (Aβ) were cross-sectionally and prospectively associated with change in frailty status in older adults.

Methods: We used data from 269 community-dwelling participants from the Multidomain Alzheimer's Preventive Trial (MAPT) who were assessed for brain Aβ using positron-emission tomography scan. Regional and cortical-to-cerebellar standardized uptake value ratios were obtained. Frailty was assessed by a frailty index composed of 19 items not directly linked to cognition and Alzheimer's disease.

Results: A significant and positive cross-sectional and prospective relationship was found for Aβ in the anterior putamen (cross-sectional: β = 0.11 [0.02-0.20], p = .02; prospective: β = 0.11 [0.03-0.19], p = .007), posterior putamen (cross-sectional: β = 0.12 [0.009-0.23], p = .03; prospective: β = 0.11 [0.02-0.21], p = .02), and precuneus regions (cross-sectional: β = 0.07 [0.01-0.12], p = .01; prospective: β = 0.07 [0.01-0.12], p = .01) with increasing frailty.

Conclusions: This study has found new information regarding cross-sectional and prospective positive associations between region-specific brain Aβ deposits and worsening frailty. The potential mechanisms involved require further investigation.

Keywords: Aging; Amyloid; Brain regions; Dementia; Frailty.