Canonical correlation analysis of hippocampus and basal forebrain cholinergic brain structures with cognitive domain‐specific performance scores

Background Hippocampal atrophy is a diagnostic marker of AD and various compartments the basal forebrain cholinergic (BFC) system also show volume reductions that correlate with cortical thinning reduction in their innervated targets hippocampus. Moreover, bilateral loss nucleus basalis Meynert (Ch4) spreading to medial septum vertical limb diagonal band Broca (Ch12) preclinical prodromal correlation abnormal CSF levels Aβ1-42 phosphorylated tau. It unclear, however, how integrity hippocampus space (Ch12 Ch4) associate specific cognitive domains. Method Data from 402 participants were downloaded Neuroimaging Initiative [120 AD, 118 cognitively normal (CN), 164 mild impairment (MCI)]. For each participant, domain-specific performance scores for: memory (ADNI-MEM), executive function (ADNI-EF), language (ADNI-LAN) visuo-spatial ability (ADNI-VS). In addition, all had 3D T1-weighted structural MRI scans (3T) which we computed measures for left right (LHC, RHC), Ch4 (LCH4, RCH4) Ch12 (LCH12, RCH12) BFC nuclei. Canonical analysis (CCA) was used determine association between 4 on one hand 6 brain other after controlling age sex. Result The first second canonical coefficients found be statistically significant: r1 = .56 (p<.001) r2 .23 (p .011). pair vectors (CCVs), indicated predominantly ADNI-MEM (Fig. 1) hippocampal (LHC RHC) 2) particularly right. corresponding variates differentiated CN, MCI 3). CCVs predominately ADNI-LAN 4) associated RHC>LHC asymmetry 5). However, did not differentiate groups 6). Conclusion Bilateral reduced performance, both AD. Asymmetry volumetric (LZ supported by NIH RF1NS023945-28).