Introduction: Memory deficits are the primary symptom in amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI); however, executive function (EF) deficits are common. The current study examined EF in aMCI based upon amyloid status (A+/A-) and regional atrophy in signature areas of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Method: Participants included 110 individuals with aMCI (A+ = 66; A- = 44) and 33 cognitively healthy participants (HP). EF was assessed using four neuropsychological assessment measures. The cortical thickness of the AD signature areas was calculated using structural MRI data.
Results: A + had greater EF deficits and cortical atrophy relative to A - in the supramarginal gyrus and superior parietal lobule. A - had greater EF deficits relative to HP, but no difference in signature area cortical thickness.
Discussion: The current study found that the degree of EF deficits in aMCI are a function of amyloid status and cortical thinning in the parietal cortex.
Keywords: AT(N); Alzheimer’s disease; Go/No-Go; Trail Making Test; Trails B; aMCI; amnestic mild cognitive impairment; amyloid; beta-amyloid; biomarker; cortical thickness; dementia; executive function; motor intrusions; motor sequencing.