In vivo network models identify sex differences in the spread of tau pathology across the brain
Open accessAbstract
INTRODUCTION: F]flortaucipir positron emission tomography (PET) uptake to evaluate sex-specific differences in brain-wide tau propagation. METHODS: PET data of clinically normal and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subjects from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) were used to examine differences in network architectures across the groups. RESULTS: The tau-based network architecture resembled progression of tauopathy from Braak stage I to VI regions. Compared to men, women had higher network density and an increased number of direct regional connections in co-occurrence with increased brain-wide tau burden, particularly at MCI. Several regions, including superior parietal lobe and parahippocampus served as connecting bridges between communities at different Braak stages. DISCUSSION: Network characteristics in women may favor an accelerated brain-wide tau spread leading to a higher tau burden in women than men with MCI with implications for the greater female preponderance in Alzheimer's disease diagnosis.
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The network architecture of tau-based brain-region connectivity networks in women favors a more rapid spread of neurofibrillary tangles in the brain.
“the network architecture in women favored a more rapid spread of neurofibrillary tangles in the brain [59].”
From Sex specific molecular networks and key drivers of Alzheimer’s disease (2023) · cites this paper as [59]
The Abstract’s Discussion says network characteristics in women *may* favor accelerated brain-wide tau spread. The citing sentence removes that uncertainty and presents faster spread as established; the paper’s Discussion also frames the mechanism as a hypothesis, particularly in relation to women with MCI. (LLM, conf=0.86)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredTau-based brain-region connectivity networks have distinct architectures in males and females.
“a recent study revealed the distinct architectures of tau-based brain-region connectivity networks in males and females”
From Sex specific molecular networks and key drivers of Alzheimer’s disease (2023) · cites this paper as [59]
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“For example, a recent study revealed the distinct architectures of tau-based brain-region connectivity networks in males and females, and further showed that the network architecture in women favored a more rapid spread of neurofibrillary tangles in the brain [59].”
Background
- Authors
- Shokouhi, S., Taylor, W. D., Albert, K., Kang, H., Newhouse, P. A., & Initiative, T. A. D. N.
- Affiliations
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center (US)
- VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (US)
- Corresponding author
- Shokouhi, Sepideh
- Venue
- Alzheimer's & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2020-01
- Volume
- 12
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- e12016-e12016
- ISSN
- 2352-8729 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC7144772
- OpenAlex
- W3015861582
- Cited by
- 35
- References
- 11
- Citations by year
- 2025: 6 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 1
- FWCI
- 3.65
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Alzheimer s & Dementia Diagnosis Assessment & Disease Monitoring (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Funders
- National Science Foundation (R00 EB009106, K24 MH110598, R01 AG047992)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
- Keywords
- tau pathology, sex differences, Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, brain network architecture, network density, Braak staging, parahippocampal region, superior parietal lobule, tau propagation
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