Cerebellum's functional change in early stage of Alzheimer's disease
What is it about?
This study explores the connection between the cerebellum (a part of the brain traditionally associated with movement) and other brain regions in people who are at an early stage of Alzheimer’s disease (known as amnestic mild cognitive impairment or aMCI). The research looks at how the cerebellum might help the brain compensate for the damage caused by Alzheimer’s, particularly in maintaining cognitive functions like memory and problem-solving.
Why is it important?
This work is important because it shifts the focus to the cerebellum, a brain area that hasn’t been deeply studied in Alzheimer’s disease before. Understanding how the cerebellum connects with other parts of the brain could lead to new ways of treating or even slowing down Alzheimer’s disease, especially in its early stages when treatments might be more effective. This research could make a significant difference by opening new avenues for therapies that target these brain connections.