Amyloid and tau accumulate across distinct spatial networks and are differentially associated with brain connectivity

  1. Joana B Pereira  Is a corresponding author
  2. Rik Ossenkoppele
  3. Sebastian Palmqvist
  4. Tor Olof Strandberg
  5. Ruben Smith
  6. Eric Westman
  7. Oskar Hansson  Is a corresponding author
  1. Karolinska Institute, Sweden
  2. Lund University, Sweden
  3. Alzheimer Center, VU University Medical Center, Netherlands
  4. Skåne University Hospital, Sweden
  5. Memory Clinic, Skåne University Hospital, Sweden
5 figures, 4 tables and 3 additional files

Figures

Flow-chart of imaging sequences available for the whole cohort.

All subjects included in the study had a 18F-Flutemetamol PET, 18F-Flortaucipir (18F-AV1451) PET and T1-weighted (T1–w) MRI scans. In addition, a subsample (n = 101) also underwent resting-state …

Figure 2 with 4 supplements
Networks of amyloid-β and tau accumulation in the whole cohort.

We identified nine joint independent components (ICs) for amyloid-β and tau in the analyses of 18F-Flutemetamol and 18F-Flortaucipir PET data in the entire sample of 117 subjects (26 amyloid-β …

Figure 2—figure supplement 1
Excluded amyloid-β and tau components.

The components were thresholded with a z-score >2.0.

Figure 2—figure supplement 2
Amyloid-β networks in different groups.

CN Aβ+, cognitively normal subjects with amyloid pathology (n = 34); MCI Aβ+, mild cognitive impairment patients with amyloid pathology (n = 21); AD Aβ+, patients with Alzheimer’s disease dementia …

Figure 2—figure supplement 3
Tau networks in different groups.

CN Aβ+, cognitively normal subjects with amyloid pathology (n = 34); MCI Aβ+, mild cognitive impairment patients with amyloid pathology (n = 21); AD Aβ+, patients with Alzheimer’s disease dementia …

Figure 2—figure supplement 4
Amyloid-β and tau networks in subsample with functional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging data.

These analyses were carried out using the subsample with all imaging modalities (n = 67): 10 amyloid-β negative cognitively normal subjects (CN Aβ-), 24 amyloid-β positive cognitively normal …

Spatial overlap between the functional MRI, amyloid-β and tau networks.

Resting-state functional networks that overlapped best with the amyloid-β and tau networks identified in the entire sample of 117 subjects (26 amyloid-β negative cognitively normal subjects, 34 …

Association between the tau networks and fractional anisotropy of white matter tracts.

The plots show significant correlations between the SUVRs of different tau networks and fractional anisotropy values of white matter tracts in 66 amyloid-β positive subjects with both imaging …

Figure 4—source data 1

Association between the tau networks and fractional anisotropy of white matter tracts.

Values for the tau networks and fractional anisotropy of white matter tracts that were significantly correlated with each other, after regressing out the effects of age, sex and presence of cognitive impairment.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/50830/elife-50830-fig4-data1-v2.xlsx
Association between the tau networks and mean diffusivity of white matter tracts.

The plots show significant correlations between the SUVRs of different tau networks and mean diffusivity values of white matter tracts in 66 amyloid-β positive subjects with both imaging modalities, …

Figure 5—source data 1

Association between the tau networks and mean diffusivity of white matter tracts.

Values for the tau networks and mean diffusivity of white matter tracts that were significantly correlated with each other, after regressing out the effects of age, sex and presence of cognitive impairment.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/50830/elife-50830-fig5-data1-v2.xlsx

Tables

Table 1
Characteristics of the sample.

The values presented in the table correspond to means followed by (standard deviations). MMSE, mini-mental state examination. Amyloid positivity (Amyloid-β+) was established using a composite …

Cognitively normal
(CN)
Mild cognitive impairment
(MCI)
Alzheimer’s disease
(AD)
amyloid-β −
(n = 26)
amyloid-β+
(n = 34)
All amyloid-β+
(n = 21)
All amyloid-β+
(n = 36)
Age (years)74.9 (5.7)75.2 (6.1)72.3 (6.9)70.6 (8.2)b, d
Sex (m/f)15/1114/2014/720/16
Education (years)12.2 (3.5)11.7 (3.7)12.1 (3.5)12.2 (3.4)
MMSE28.8 (1.1)29.1 (1.1)26.0 (2.7)a, c20.6 (5.3)b, d, e
Delayed recall2.2 (1.7)2.6 (2.2)5.9 (2.4) a,c8.3 (2.0)b, d, e
Trail making test A44.4 (15.4)51.6 (19.5)59.4 (18.9)a83.4 (54.1)b, d
Clock-drawing test2.71 (1.19)2.80 (1.52)5.09 (1.08)a, c6.18 (1.58)b, d
  1. a Significant differences between amyloid negative controls and mild cognitive impairment patients (p<0.05).

    b Significant differences between amyloid negative controls and Alzheimer’s disease dementia patients (p<0.05).

  2. c Significant differences between amyloid positive controls and mild cognitive impairment patients (p<0.05).

    d Significant differences between amyloid positive controls and Alzheimer’s disease dementia patients (p<0.05).

  3. e Significant differences between mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease dementia patients (p<0.05).

Table 2
Differences between groups in amyloid-β and tau networks.

The values presented in the table correspond to means followed by (standard deviations) or p values calculated using non-parametric permutation tests to assess differences between groups in …

Cognitively normal
(CN)
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)Alzheimer’s disease (AD)CN β− vs CN β+CN β− vs MCICN β− vs ADCN β+ vs MCICN β+ vs ADMCI vs AD
amyloid-β−amyloid-β+All amyloid-β+All amyloid-β+P valueP valueP valueP valueP valueP value
amyloid-β networks
IC 2: Left Inferior Occipital0.71
(0.04)
0.92
(0.14)
1.10
(0.10)
1.13
(0.13)
<0.001<0.001<0.001<0.001<0.0010.287
IC 3: Medial Fronto-Parietal0.67
(0.04)
0.98
(0.16)
1.15
(0.13)
1.19
(0.14)
<0.001<0.001<0.001<0.001<0.0010.244
IC 4: Middle Frontal0.74
(0.06)
0.89
(0.12)
0.94
(0.11)
1.02
(0.16)
<0.001<0.001<0.0010.1590.0040.048
IC 5: Superior Frontal0.68
(0.05)
0.91
(0.14)
1.02
(0.11)
1.08
(0.16)
<0.001<0.001<0.0010.014<0.0010.101
IC 6: Medial0.64
(0.04)
0.92
(0.14)
1.07
(0.13)
1.13
(0.14)
<0.001<0.001<0.001<0.001<0.0010.112
IC 7: Right Parietal0.69
(0.06)
0.88
(0.14)
1.00
(0.11)
1.11
(0.12)
<0.001<0.001<0.0010.003<0.0010.001
IC 8: Anterior Cingulate0.67
(0.05)
0.99
(0.17)
1.16
(0.14)
1.23
(0.16)
<0.001<0.001<0.0010.003<0.0010.080
IC 10: Posterior Parietal0.67
(0.05)
0.95
(0.17)
1.11
(0.16)
1.15
(0.15)
<0.001<0.001<0.0010.002<0.0010.226
IC 11: Lateral Temporal0.70
(0.04)
0.95
(0.17)
1.09
(0.14)
1.18
(0.16)
<0.001<0.001<0.0010.006<0.0010.033
tau networks
IC 2: Left Inferior Occipital1.15
(0.07)
1.21
(0.10)
1.76
(0.62)
2.03
(0.58)
0.112<0.001<0.001<0.001<0.0010.061
IC 3:
Temporal
1.15
(0.06)
1.22
(0.13)
1.65
(0.42)
1.83
(0.34)
0.020<0.001<0.001<0.001<0.0010.057
IC 4: Insular1.00
(0.07)
1.02
(0.07)
1.17
(0.20)
1.39
(0.48)
0.1510.030<0.0010.115<0.0010.010
IC 5:
Superior Frontal
1.11
(0.08)
1.14
(0.07)
1.32
(0.34)
1.58
(0.48)
0.2670.038<0.0010.060<0.0010.014
IC 6: Posterior
Medial
1.05
(0.06)
1.09
(0.07)
1.30
(0.34)
1.57
(0.57)
0.1570.019<0.0010.066<0.0010.015
IC 7 Fronto-Parietal1.13
(0.07)
1.20
(0.13)
1.63
(0.60)
1.97
(0.60)
0.4980.001<0.0010.002<0.0010.020
IC 8: Hippo-campus1.11
(0.06)
1.18
(0.12)
1.46
(0.30)
1.67
(0.39)
0.018<0.001<0.0010.002<0.0010.012
IC 10: Right Inferior Occipital1.12
(0.07)
1.16
(0.08)
1.57
(0.57)
1.91
(0.68)
0.1430.001<0.0010.004<0.0010.034
IC 11:
Middle Frontal
1.07
(0.07)
1.10
(0.08)
1.39
(0.34)
1.71
(0.51)
0.1880.001<0.0010.003<0.0010.003
Table 3
Association between the integrity of white matter tracts and the PET networks.

The values presented in the table correspond to Spearman’s Rho followed by (p values) for the correlations between the fractional anisotropy or mean diffusivity of white matter tracts and PET …

Fractional anisotropy
ATRCSTCCTHCTFMAJFMINIFOILFSLFSLFtUNC
amyloid-β IC 2−0.016 (0.904)0.081 (0.527)0.014
(0.915)
0.031 (0.810)0.011 (0.930)0.079 (0.540)−0.093 (0.467)−0.073 (0.569)−0.111 (0.386)−0.123 (0.336)−0.047 (0.717)
amyloid-β IC 3−0.162 (0.205)0.133 (0.298)0.027 (0.832)−0.052
(0.685)
−0.094 (0.462)−0.091 (0.478)−0.180 (0.159)−0.105 (0.411)−0.158 (0.217)−0.211 (0.097)−0.073 (0.572)
amyloid-β IC 4−0.121 (0.347)0.026 (0.841)−0.043 (0.740)−0.107 (0.404)−0.112 (0.384)−0.110 (0.393)−0.166 (0.195)−0.076 (0.552)−0.130 (0.310)−0.187 (0.142)−0.042 (0.743)
amyloid-β IC 5−0.025 (0.848)0.089 (0.488)0.006 (0.964)−0.027 (0.836)−0.073 (0.568)0.018 (0.890)−0.085 (0.507)−0.002 (0.989)−0.036 (0.781)−0.125 (0.331)0.014 (0.911)
amyloid-β IC 6−0.177 (0.166)0.085 (0.509)0.033 (0.799)−0.009 (0.947)−0.123 (0.338)−0.072 (0.575)−0.164 (0.199)−0.080 (0.533)−0.123 (0.337)−0.194 (0.128)−0.061 (0.636)
amyloid-β IC 70.007 (0.957)0.004 (0.978)−0.071 (0.582)−0.046 (0.719)−0.062 (0.630)0.022 (0.863)−0.072 (0.576)−0.031 (0.813)−0.018 (0.890)−0.064 (0.617)−0.051 (0.692)
amyloid-β IC 8−0.017 (0.896)0.065 (0.611)0.024 (0.852)0.045 (0.725)−0.003 (0.979)0.052 (0.687)−0.037 (0.774)0.024 (0.851)−0.003 (0.981)−0.073 (0.572)0.029 (0.824)
amyloid-β IC 10−0.170 (0.183)0.082 (0.525)0.038 (0.765)−0.062 (0.627)−0.152 (0.234)−0.072 (0.576)−0.175 (0.170)−0.082 (0.524)−0.140 (0.275)−0.175 (0.170)−0.039 (0.760)
amyloid-β IC 110.040 (0.757)0.064 (0.618)−0.040 (0.760)−0.045 (0.724)−0.020 (0.874)0.096 (0.456)−0.083 (0.517)−0.087 (0.497)−0.070 (0.585)−0.093 (0.467)−0.046 (0.718)
tau IC 2−0.214 (0.093)−0.123 (0.336)−0.291 (0.021)−0.364 (0.003)−0.283 (0.025)−0.170 (0.184)−0.307 (0.014)−0.429 (<0.001)−0.339 (0.007)−0.259 (0.041)−0.280 (0.026)
tau IC 3−0.207 (0.104)−0.092 (0.476)−0.286 (0.023)−0.398 (0.001)−0.251 (0.047)−0.234 (0.065)−0.301 (0.017)−0.362 (0.004)−0.257 (0.042)−0.283 (0.025)−0.292 (0.020)
tau IC 4−0.222 (0.081)−0.305 (0.015)−0.309 (0.014)−0.348 (0.005)−0.292 (0.020)−0.165 (0.198)−0.339 (0.007)−0.459 (<0.001)−0.378 (0.002)−0.297 (0.018)−0.303 (0.016)
tau IC 5−0.266 (0.035)−0.245 (0.053)−0.370 (0.003)−0.361 (0.004)−0.271 (0.032)−0.288 (0.022)−0.395 (0.001)−0.430 (<0.001)−0.386 (0.002)−0.286 (0.023)−0.398 (0.001)
tau IC 6−0.224 (0.077)−0.176 (0.167)−0.239 (0.059)−0.309 (0.014)−0.281 (0.026)−0.150 (0.241)−0.292 (0.020)−0.393 (0.001)−0.330 (0.008)−0.214 (0.093)−0.225 (0.077)
tau IC 7−0.226 (0.075)−0.194 (0.127)−0.352 (0.005)−0.424 (<0.001)−0.337 (0.007)−0.232 (0.068)−0.375 (0.003)−0.448 (<0.001)−0.370 (0.003)−0.272 (0.031)−0.324 (0.010)
tau IC 8−0.064 (0.619)−0.094 (0.464)−0.245 (0.053)−0.323 (0.010)−0.234 (0.065)−0.049 (0.702)−0.222 (0.080)−0.319 (0.011)−0.215 (0.091)−0.171 (0.180)−0.179 (0.160)
tau IC 10−0.258 (0.041)−0.121 (0.344)−0.212 (0.096)−0.304 (0.016)−0.324 (0.010)−0.136 (0.287)−0.311 (0.013)−0.427 (<0.001)−0.350 (0.005)−0.250 (0.048)−0.223 (0.081)
tau IC 11−0.166 (0.192)−0.188 (0.140)−0.300 (0.017)−0.306 (0.015)−0.208 (0.102)−0.145 (0.257)−0.310 (0.013)−0.392 (0.002)−0.347 (0.005)−0.271 (0.032)−0.299 (0.017)
Mean Diffusivity
ATRCSTCCTHCTFMAJFMINIFOILFSLFSLFtUNC
amyloid-β IC 20.031 (0.808)−0.156 (0.223)−0.061 (0.636)0.011 (0.931)−0.132 (0.302)0.048 (0.712)−0.072 (0.573)0.011 (0.930)−0.042 (0.742)0.087 (0.500)0.078 (0.543)
amyloid-β IC 30.053 (0.679)−0.362 (0.004)−0.154 (0.227)0.020 (0.879)−0.216 (0.089)−0.051 (0.691)−0.108 (0.398)−0.028 (0.829)−0.168 (0.188)0.082 (0.525)0.065 (0.613)
amyloid-β IC 40.067 (0.601)−0.143 (0.263)−0.029 (0.824)0.092 (0.476)0.043 (0.739)−0.055 (0.669)0.039 (0.763)0.088 (0.495)0.011 (0.935)0.101 (0.433)0.034 (0.793)
amyloid-β IC 50.029 (0.820)−0.120 (0.348)0.001 (0.995)0.014 (0.915)0.003 (0.983)−0.029 (0.823)−0.018 (0.886)0.024 (0.850)−0.057 (0.656)0.059 (0.645)0.029 (0.823)
amyloid-β IC 60.128 (0.318)−0.278 (0.028)−0.085 (0.508)0.088 (0.493)−0.125 (0.331)0.021 (0.869)−0.016 (0.899)0.050 (0.698)−0.083 (0.519)0.148 (0.249)0.122 (0.342)
amyloid-β IC 70.081 (0.530)−0.088 (0.493)0.085 (0.507)0.096 (0.456)−0.057 (0.655)0.108 (0.401)0.066 (0.605)0.141 (0.272)0.106 (0.409)0.108 (0.398)0.118 (0.358)
amyloid-β IC 80.011 (0.932)−0.115 (0.368)−0.046 (0.718)−0.005 (0.972)0.037 (0.771)−0.009 (0.943)−0.038 (0.767)0.025 (0.847)−0.085 (0.507)0.009 (0.944)0.015 (0.907)
amyloid-β IC 100.088 (0.494)−0.310 (0.013)−0.112 (0.381)0.057 (0.657)−0.211 (0.097)−0.056 (0.661)−0.068 (0.595)−0.025 (0.844)−0.142 (0.266)0.107 (0.403)0.063 (0.625)
amyloid-β IC 110.049 (0.703)−0.096 (0.453)0.034 (0.791)0.023 (0.858)−0.238 (0.060)0.125 (0.329)−0.053 (0.679)0.037 (0.771)0.068 (0.598)0.102 (0.428)0.134 (0.296)
tau IC 20.266 (0.035)0.039 (0.760)0.324 (0.010)0.353 (0.005)−0.011 (0.930)0.244 (0.054)0.271 (0.032)0.307 (0.015)0.183 (0.152)0.432
(<0.001)
0.303 (0.016)
tau IC 30.219 (0.085)0.016 (0.900)0.289 (0.022)0.354 (0.004)0.041 (0.748)0.080 (0.532)0.250 (0.048)0.331 (0.008)0.171 (0.181)0.351 (0.005)0.183 (0.150)
tau IC 40.172 (0.177)0.054 (0.673)0.280 (0.026)0.222 (0.081)0.016 (0.899)0.164 (0.201)0.236 (0.062)0.243 (0.055)0.093 (0.471)0.303 (0.016)0.259 (0.040)
tau IC 50.228 (0.072)0.195 (0.126) 0.387 (0.002)0.260 (0.039)0.072 (0.576)0.186 (0.145)0.362 (0.004)0.348 (0.005)0.262 (0.038)0.436 (<0.001)0.337 (0.007)
tau IC 60.226 (0.075)−0.006 (0.960)0.261 (0.039)0.265 (0.036)−0.074 (0.565)0.210 (0.099)0.242 (0.056)0.245 (0.054)0.116 (0.365)0.382 (0.002)0.298 (0.018)
tau IC 70.261 (0.039)0.083 (0.519) 0.418 (<0.001)0.371 (0.003)0.086 (0.501)0.243 (0.055) 0.371 (0.003) 0.403 (0.001)0.288 (0.022)0.463 (<0.001)0.319 (0.011)
tau IC80.107 (0.405)0.084 (0.514)0.311 (0.013)0.253 (0.046)0.025 (0.848)0.148 (0.248)0.202 (0.112)0.232 (0.067)0.158 (0.216)0.281 (0.026)0.174 (0.172)
tau IC 100.252 (0.046)−0.054 (0.672)0.302 (0.016)0.327 (0.009)−0.052 (0.685)0.212 (0.096)0.225 (0.076)0.239 (0.059)0.074 (0.563)0.388 (0.002)0.285 (0.024)
tau IC 110.193 (0.129)0.056 (0.663)0.314 (0.012)0.258 (0.042)−0.075 (0.557)0.259 (0.040)0.226 (0.075)0.299 (0.017)0.199 (0.118)0.431 (<0.001)0.350 (0.005)
Table 4
Association between cognition with the amyloid-β and tau networks.

The values presented in the table correspond to Spearman’s Rho followed by (p values) for correlations between cognitive tests and PET networks SUVRs, while controlling for age, sex, education and …

MMSE
Rho (p value)
Delayed recall
Rho (p value)
Trail making test
Rho (p value)
Clock-drawing test
Rho (p value)
amyloid-β IC 2: Left Inferior Occipital−0.269 (0.013)0.245 (0.028)−0.076 (0.508)−0.040 (0.773)
amyloid-β IC 3: Medial Fronto-Parietal−0.175 (0.111)0.261 (0.019)−0.062 (0.590)0.006 (0.965)
amyloid-β IC 4: Middle Frontal−0.103 (0.351)0.179 (0.113)−0.003 (0.690)0.023 (0.870)
amyloid-β IC 5: Superior Frontal−0.292 (0.007)0.280 (0.012)0.005 (0.978)−0.055 (0.689)
amyloid-β IC 6: Medial−0.396 (<0.001)0.284 (0.011)−0.006 (0.958)−0.093 (0.498)
amyloid-β IC 7: Right Parietal−0.292 (0.007)0.284 (0.011)−0.054 (0.639)−0.111 (0.420)
amyloid-β IC 8: Anterior Cingulate−0.166 (0.131)0.325 (0.003)−0.119 (0.301)−0.038 (0.783)
amyloid-β IC 10: Posterior Parietal−0.308 (0.004)0.191 (<0.089)0.032 (0.779)−0.069 (0.617)
amyloid-β IC 11: Lateral Temporal−0.393 (<0.001)0.214 (0.057)0.037 (0.751)−0.042 (0.759)
tau IC 2: Left Inferior Occipital−0.413(<0.001)0.338 (0.002)0.311 (0.006)−0.406 (0.002)
tau IC 3: Temporal−0.246 (0.005)0.446 (<0.001)0.277 (0.014)−0.271 (0.046)
tau IC 4: Insular−0.274 (0.024)0.169 (0.134)0.206 (0.070)−0.322 (0.017)
tau IC 5: Superior Frontal−0.286 (0.008)0.268 (0.017)0.325 (0.004)−0.176 (0.199)
tau IC 6: Posterior Medial−0.325 (0.003)0.305 (0.006)0.285 (0.011)−0.302 (0.025)
tau IC 7: Fronto-Parietal−0.382 (<0.001)0.344 (0.002)0.417 (<0.001)−0.321 (0.017)
tau IC 8: Hippocampus−0.414 (<0.001)0.439 (<0.001)0.225 (0.047)−0.229 (0.093)
tau IC 10: Right Inferior Occipital−0.339 (0.002)0.279 (0.012)0.315 (0.005)−0.338 (0.012)
tau IC 11: Middle Frontal−0.415 (<0.001)0.344 (0.002)0.265 (0.019)−0.311 (<0.021)

Additional files

Supplementary file 1

Association between functional MRI network signals with the amyloid-β and tau networks SUVRs.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/50830/elife-50830-supp1-v2.docx
Supplementary file 2

Association between gray matter volumes in vulnerable regions to Alzheimer’s disease with the amyloid-β and tau networks SUVRs.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/50830/elife-50830-supp2-v2.docx
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