Searchable Abstract for Poster Presentation (AAIC 2026)

Title: Disruption of Morphological Brain Network Topology in Subjective Cognitive Decline and Mild Cognitive Impairment: Associations with Cognition and Plasma Biomarkers

Authors: Ziwei Chen (Presenter), [Co-authors as listed: Y. Yang, M. Yan, L. Sun, X. Liu, X. Fang, S. Li, G. Lin]

Affiliation: Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong First Medical University

Background & Objective:
Morphological brain networks (MBNs) may serve as early indicators of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. This study investigated alterations in individual-level, surface-based MBNs in older adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and explored their associations with multi-domain cognitive performance and plasma AD biomarkers.

Methods:
We analyzed data from 1,075 dementia-free participants (age ≥60, 58% female) from the MIND-China MRI substudy. Participants were categorized into NC, SCD, and MCI groups. Global and nodal topological properties of MBNs were computed and correlated with cognitive z-scores and plasma biomarkers (Aβ42/Aβ40, GFAP, p-tau217, p-tau181).

Key Results:

• Global Topology: Both SCD and MCI groups exhibited significant disruptions in global network architecture (reduced clustering, efficiency, and small-worldness), with these alterations strongly correlated with poorer cognitive performance and abnormal plasma biomarker levels (all P<0.05).

• Nodal Topology: Nodal betweenness centrality (Bc) was reduced in SCD and MCI, primarily within the default mode, visual, and limbic networks. These regional Bc reductions were linked to cognitive decline and specifically associated with plasma p-tau levels.

• Conclusion: Disruptions in MBN global and nodal properties are potential biomarkers for SCD and MCI, with underlying mechanisms linked to AD pathology and neuroinflammation. These findings provide insights into early structural brain changes in the AD continuum.

Contact Information:
Ziwei Chen
Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong First Medical University
Email: chenziwei19990208@163.com

---

Suggested Keywords for Indexing

• Morphological Brain Networks

• Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

• Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD)

• Alzheimer's Disease Biomarkers

• Plasma p-tau217

• Brain Topology

• Graph Theory