Comprehensive evaluation of resting state functional MRI and cognitive function in patients with dementia

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K14418
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 10030:Clinical psychology-related
• Research Institution: University of the Ryukyus
• Principal Investigator: Ayano Shiroma 琉球大学, 病院, 特命一般職員 (50751567)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 認知症 / 認知機能障害 / 安静時機能的MRI / 軽度認知障害 / アルツハイマー型認知症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to develop a neuropsychological screening test battery to evaluate cognitive function in patients with dementia, and to investigate the relationship between cognitive impairments and functional connectivity within and between resting-state networks called the ‘triple network model’, including the default mode network, salience network, and executive central network.
Evaluation using the neuropsychological screening test battery was useful for both quantitative and qualitative analyses, enabling the assessment of both general and specific cognitive impairments. This study also revealed a correlation between the functional connectivity of the default mode network and cognitive impairment. In terms of cross-network functional connectivity among resting-state networks, the interactions of the executive control network particularly related to the decline in cognitive function.

Free Research Field

臨床心理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、認知症の認知機能障害を捉える有用なツールとして、施行が簡便であり、全般的かつ特異的な認知機能障害の評価を可能とする簡易神経心理検査バッテリーを選定した点で、臨床的な意義が大きい。近年認知症の認知機能障害に対する治療介入として非侵襲的脳刺激法の活用が報告されており、認知症の認知機能と安静時ネットワークを包括的に評価し、認知機能障害と脳内ネットワークの変化との関連を検出・評価することは、認知症の認知機能障害に関する理解の促進のみならず、認知機能障害に対する今後の治療に有意義な基礎的知見を提供し、治療構築にも大きく寄与するものである。