Traumatic brain injury fast-forwards Alzheimer’s pathology: evidence from amyloid positron emission tomorgraphy imaging

Abstract

Purpose: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been proposed as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), although the mechanisms underlying the putative association are poorly understood. We investigated elderly individuals with a remote history of TBI, aiming to understand how this may have influenced amyloidosis, neurodegeneration, and clinical expression along the AD continuum. Methods: Total of 241 individual datasets including amyloid beta (Aβ) positron emission tomography ([18F]-AV45), structural MRI, and neuropsychological measures, were obtained from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. The data were stratified into groups with (TBI +) or without (TBI −) history of head injury, and by clinical dementia rating (CDR) scores, into subgroups with normal cognition (CDR = 0) and those with symptomatic cognitive decline (CDR ≥ 0.5). We contrasted the TBI + and TBI − subgroups with respect to the onset age and extent of cognitive decline, cortical thickness changes, and Aβ standard uptake value (SUVr). Results: Compared to the TBI −/CDR ≥ 0.5 subgroup, the TBI + /CDR ≥ 0.5 subgroup showed a 3–4 year earlier age of cognitive impairment onset (ACIO, p = 0.005). Among those participants on the AD continuum (Aβ + , as defined by a cortical SUVr ≥ 1.23), irrespective of current CDR, a TBI + history was associated with greater Aβ deposition and more pronounced cortical thinning. When matched for severity of cognitive status, the TBI + /CDR ≥ 0.5 group showed greater Aβ burden, but earlier ACIO as compared to the TBI −/CDR ≥ 0.5, suggesting a more indolent clinical AD progression in those with TBI history. Conclusion: Remote TBI history may alter the AD onset trajectory, with approximately 4 years earlier ACIO, greater amyloid deposition, and cortical thinning.