Cognitive Health Behaviours and Their Association with Neuroanatomical Changes in the Progression of Alzheimer's Disease and Cognitive Impairment

Background: Patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease usually experience different neuroanatomical changes such as depression, apathy and irritability. Other cognitive behaviours found are linked with cognitive impairment as well as Alzheimer's disease. Cardiovascular issues are also found to be common among the patients, suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Aim of Study: This study aims to assess the cognitive health behavior and their association with neuroanatomical changes within the progression of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive impairment. For this purpose, hyperintensities in white matter (WHM) were observed. Methodology: In current longitudinal study, the association of grey matter atrophy and WMH with neuroanatomical changes, is observed in cognitive impairment cohort. In this regard, 120 participants suffering Alzheimer's disease were included while 310 participants with cognitive impairment and 220 participants in control groups were incorporated. Neuroanatomical changes were determined by using Neuropsychiatric Inventory, which is classified into apathy, affective and hyperactivity subsyndromes. Automatic technique was used for measuring WMH. Results: The results obtained from linear mixed-effects models show that atrophy of grey matter as well as WMH has a significant association with neuroanatomical changes and other subsyndromes in Alzheimer's disease and cognitive impairment groups. Significant association was also observed within the context of vascular risks. Conclusion: WMH is identified as a major contributor to NPS in Alzheimer's disease and moderate cognitive impairment.