Impact of locus coeruleus and its projections on memory and aging

TL;DR

This study investigates how the structural connectivity of the locus coeruleus to the thalamus changes with age using diffusion tensor imaging, revealing age-related degradation linked to memory performance.

Contribution

It provides novel insights into age-related structural changes in LC projections and their association with cognitive decline, using high-resolution DTI tractography.

Findings

LC projections are bundled in the central tegmental tract.

Older adults show reduced diffusivity in the CTT.

Degradation of LC projections correlates with memory performance.

Abstract

Introduction: Locus coeruleus (LC) is the primary source of norepinephrine to the brain and its efferent projections innervate many brain regions, including the thalamus. LC degrades with normal aging, but not much is known regarding whether its structural connectivity evolves with age or predicts aspects of cognition. Methods: Here, we use high-resolution diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)-based tractography to examine structural connectivity between LC and the thalamus in younger and older adults. Results: We found LC projections to be bundled in a fiber tract anatomically consistent with the central tegmental tract (CTT) and branch from this tract into the thalamus. The older cohort exhibited a significant reduction in mean and radial diffusivity within CTT as compared to the young cohort. We also observed a significant correlation between CTT mean, axial, and radial diffusivities and memory performance (delayed recall) in the older adult cohort. Discussion: These observations suggest that although LC projections degrade with age, the degree of degradation is associated with cognitive abilities in older adults.