5-123I-A-85380 binding to the α4β2-nicotinic receptor in mild cognitive impairment

Citation

Terriere E, Dempsey MF, Herrmann LL, Tierney KM, Lonie JA, O'Carroll R, Pimlott S, Wyper DJ, Herholz K & Ebmeier KP (2010) 5-123I-A-85380 binding to the α4β2-nicotinic receptor in mild cognitive impairment. Neurobiology of Aging, 31 (11), pp. 1885-1893. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01974580; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2008.10.008

Abstract
Treatments currently licensed for Alzheimer's dementia target cholinergic brain systems. In vivo nicotinic receptor binding may provide an early marker of illness and treatment suitability. In this pilot, we examined nine patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 10 age and education matched healthy volunteers with high resolution SPECT and the nicotinic receptor ligand 5-123I-A-85380. Uptake data were analysed using voxel-based techniques for group comparisons and regression analyses with cognitive impairment as covariates. MCI patients had discrete reductions in uptake in medial temporal cortex. Correlations with cognitive impairment were found in left temporo-parietal areas (Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination) and bilateral temporo-limbic areas (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test), and right parahippocampal gyrus (Rey Complex Figure Test) within the patient group. In vivo nicotinic receptor binding appears to be sensitive to brain changes in MCI. Larger scale explorations of patients undergoing treatment will be necessary to evaluate its use in predicting or monitoring treatment response.

Keywords
Alzheimer's disease; Dementia; Mild cognitive impairment; Amnestic; Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors; Single photon emission tomography; Dementia Research; Cognitive psychology; Alzheimer Disease

Journal
Neurobiology of Aging: Volume 31, Issue 11

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Professor Ronan O'Carroll

Professor, Psychology