Screening for the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease could be improved by measuring the activity of dopamine-firing cells the brain, according to British experts.
Professor Annalena Venneri of the University of Sheffield, UK, and colleagues analysed 3Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans on 51 healthy adults, 30 patients with mild cognitive impairment, and 29 patients with Alzheimer’s disease. These scans generate superior images compared with normal MRI scans.
This highlighted a link between the size and function of the ventral tegmental area of the mid-brain, the size of the hippocampus and the ability to form new memories.
The scientists say this is the first study to show such a link in humans, and could be crucial in detecting early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
"Our findings suggest that if a small area of brain cells, called the ventral tegmental area, does not produce the right amount of dopamine for the hippocampus, it will not work efficiently," said Professor Venneri.
"The hippocampus is associated with forming new memories, therefore these findings are crucial to the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. The results point at a change which happens very early on, which might trigger Alzheimer’s disease."
Details were published yesterday in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Professor Venneri added: "More studies are necessary, but these findings could potentially lead to a new way of screening the elderly population for early signs of Alzheimer’s disease, changing the way brain scans are acquired and interpreted and using different memory tests.
“Another possible benefit is that it might lead to a different treatment option with the potential to change or halt the course of the disease very early, before major symptoms manifest."
De Marco, M. et al. Volume and connectivity of the Ventral Tegmental Area are linked to neurocognitive signatures of Alzheimer’s disease in humans. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease 27 March 2018; doi: 10.3233/JAD-171018
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