Brain changes in presymptomatic early-onset Alzheimer's disease

Date
2013
DOI
Authors
Quiroz-Gaviria, Yakeel T.
Version
Embargo Date
Indefinite
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
What are the earliest brain changes associated with genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease (AD)? This thesis used structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and event-related potentials (ERP) to examine brain function in cognitively normal individuals who carry an early-onset AD-causing presenilin-1 (PSEN1) E280A genetic mutation. The research was carried out in four experiments: 1) fMRI activity during associative learning, 2) fMRI activity during successful novel picture encoding, 3) MRI cortical thickness using a set of a priori regions of interest, and 4) ERP neural correlates ofrecognition memory. Thirty-nine 25-44 year-old presymptomatic PSEN1 mutation carriers (MC) and non-carriers (NC) were studied. Nineteen PSEN1 MC and 20 NC participated in studies 1, 2 and 3 in single scanning sessions. Twenty-one ofthese individuals (10 MC and 11 NC) also participated in experiment 4. [TRUNCATED]
Description
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you.
License
PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you.