The Subcortical Default Mode Network and Alzheimer's Disease: A systematic review and Activation Likelihood Estimation Meta-Analysis.
Fecha
2024Resumen
The default mode network is a central cortical brain network suggested to play a major role in several disorders and to be particularly
vulnerable to the neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. Subcortical involvement in the default mode network and its
alteration in Alzheimer’s disease remains largely unknown. We performed a systematic review, meta-analysis and empirical validation
of the subcortical default mode network in healthy adults, combined with a systematic review, meta-analysis and network analysis of
the involvement of subcortical default mode areas in Alzheimer’s disease. Our results show that, besides the well-known cortical default mode network brain regions, the default mode network consistently includes subcortical regions, namely the thalamus, lobule
and vermis IX and right Crus I/II of the cerebellum and the amygdala. Network analysis also suggests the involvement of the caudate
nucleus. In Alzheimer’s disease, we observed a left-lateralized cluster of decrease in functional connectivity which covered the medial
temporal lobe and amygdala and showed overlap with the default mode network in a portion covering parts of the left anterior hippocampus and left amygdala. We also found an increase in functional connectivity in the right anterior insula. These results confirm the
consistency of subcortical contributions to the default mode network in healthy adults and highlight the relevance of the subcortical
default mode network alteration in Alzheimer’s disease.