Research Information System
Presentation, pp.1, 2020
Abstract
Background: Different criteria sets were suggested for better operationalization of
subjective cognitive decline. In this study, we aimed to assess structural neuroimaging
biomarkers of AD in different definitions of SCD.
Method: The study was conducted at Hacettepe University, Turkey. 101 participants
over 55 years of age, with memory complaints and no identifiable impairment in a
valid cognitive screening test (Z scores>-1.5 in the Modified Mini Mental Test 3MS)
were included.We evaluatedwhether (i) using a scale (Subjective Memory Complaints
Questionnaire-SMCQ) rather than a single question assessing the subjective complaint;
(ii) utilizing neuropsychological test data in addition to a screening test; (iii) evaluating
SCD + criteria (additional qualitative features of the complaint) and (iv) the
exclusion of comorbidities that may be associated with memory complaints; would be
associated with increased atrophy in AD-related areas. Three different cortical thickness
and two cortical volume patterns based on previous research were determined
as the dependent variables. MR images were obtained with a 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner.
Cortical thickness and gray matter volumes were estimated using the FreeSurfer Software
package version 6.0 on 3D T1-weighted MRI scans (MP RAGE), in accordance
with ADNI-1 MRI acquisition protocol. The multivariate regression models were performed
for evaluating the relationship of each independent variable.
Result: Results suggested that age, sex, age of onset of memory complaints, depression
or anxiety symptoms and vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels were associated with alterations
in the structural markers of AD. Regarding different definitions of SCD; assessment
of SCD + criteria, utilizing SMCQ, addition of neuropsychological test data and
excluding individuals with comorbidities did not contribute to the validity of SCD in
terms of the AD morphology.
Conclusion: Our findings indicate the importance of psychiatric evaluation in individuals
with subjective memory complaints. The presence of depression and anxiety symptoms
in a person with SCD may increase the likelihood of AD-related brain morphological
changes. Longitudinal studies, better assessment of the phenotype, inclusion of
different diagnostic groups may help to refine the definition of SCDand the addition of
criterion which may point to early morphological changes. This study has been funded
by TUBITAK 214S048, Hacettepe THD-2018-17363.