Changes in Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Plasma Amyloid-Beta Protein in Subjective Cognitive Decline

The association between plasma amyloid-beta protein (A beta) and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) remains controversial. We aimed to explore the correlation between neuroimaging findings, plasma A beta, and neuropsychological scales using data from 53 SCD patients and 46 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to obtain neuroimaging data for a whole-brain voxel-based morphometry analysis and cortical functional network topological features. The SCD group had slightly lower Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores than the HC group. The A beta 42 levels were significantly higher in the SCD group than in the HC group (p < 0.05). The SCD patients demonstrated reduced volumes in the left hippocampus, right rectal gyrus (REC.R), and right precentral gyrus (PreCG.R); an increased percentage fluctuation in the left thalamus (PerAF); and lower average small-world coefficient (aSigma) and average global efficiency (aEg) values. Correlation analyses with A beta and neuropsychological scales revealed significant positive correlations between the volumes of the HIP.L, REC.R, PreCG.R, and MoCA scores. The HIP.L volume and A beta 42 were negatively correlated, as were the REC.R volume and A beta 42/40. PerAF and aSigma were negatively and positively correlated with the MoCA scores, respectively. The aEg was positively correlated with A beta 42/40. SCD patients may exhibit alterations in plasma biomarkers and multi-parameter MRI that resemble those observed in Alzheimer's disease, offering a theoretical foundation for early clinical intervention in SCD.