Default Mode Network Connectivity in Alzheimers Disease

Abstract

Objective: Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by functional and structural changes in the brain that are increasingly better visualized with the advances in new brain imaging techniques. Connectivity changes under the resting state condition especially in the internal connectivity network, named as the default mode network (DMN), are observed in AD. This paper aimed to investigate and discuss the findings on DMN connectivity.

Method: The studies carried out by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), using the two most widely applied techniques, the seed-based method and independent component analysis (ICA), have been investigated.

Results: Studies generally indicate a progressive impairment in DMN connectivity during the course of AD. It has been also stated that DMN subsystems show differential connectivity patterns in the preclinical and prodromal stages of AD. There is also evidence suggesting that impairment in DMN connectivity could be associated with different connectivity patterns in other networks. Furthermore, findings point towards a relationship between DMN and AD-related neuropathology and genetic risk factors.

Conclusion: It may be proposed that AD is a generalized disconnection syndrome that causes functional impairments in resting state networks, particularly in DMN. In addition to this, AD-related functional connectivity changes observed in preclinical cases and risk carriers might be a potential bio-marker for AD.