The effect of Alzheimer’s biomarker positivity on neuropsychological networks

INTRODUCTION: Although Network Neuropsychology is a promising approach to the study of clinical profiles, the link between Alzheimer’s biomarkers and neuropsychological networks is still undetermined.METHODS: We calculated neuropsychological networks in 1,263 amyloid β (Aβ)-positive (A+), 1,594 Aβ-negative (A-), 442 Aβ+pTAU-positive (A+T+), and 734 Aβ+pTAU-negative (A-T-) participants from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center database. We tested for differences in global network metrics and nodal centrality between A+ and A-, and between A+T+ and A-T- sub-cohorts.RESULTS: No effects were found in global network metrics. A significant nodal difference was found in the Category Fluency Test, with increased centrality observed among A+ participants. A similar, yet nonsignificant trend was observed between A+T+ and A-T- participants.DISCUSSION: Our findings highlight the importance of semantic memory alterations in A+ individuals. The wide set of neural and cognitive resources that sustain semantic memory may play a supportive role in the presence of neuropathology.