Functional Biomarkers and Alzheimer's Disease Prediction: An Integrative Approach

• Grant number: 25/04280-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2030
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Radiology
• Principal Investigator: Renata Ferranti Leoni
• Grantee: Natália de Carvalho Santos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia worldwide, with significant social and economic impact. Given the increasing elderly population and the limited effectiveness of current treatments, early detection has emerged as an essential strategy. This project aims to investigate the functional brain mechanisms associated with the Alzheimer's Continuum, with a particular focus on the early stage of subjective cognitive decline. Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and machine learning, the study seeks to identify early functional biomarkers by integrating functional connectivity, graph analysis, and brain entropy. The study will leverage data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), encompassing participants at various stages of the Alzheimer's Continuum. Analyses will include static, dynamic, and directed functional connectivity, combined with graph theory methods to assess brain topology. Additionally, neuronal complexity will be explored through entropy metrics, while machine learning techniques will be employed to classify disease stages and predict its progression. The expected outcomes include identifying functional patterns associated with AD progression and validating rs-fMRI as a diagnostic tool, fostering advancements in early diagnosis and equity in AI-based models. This project aims to contribute to a broader understanding of the mechanisms underlying AD and the development of more effective clinical approaches, positively impacting the care and quality of life of affected individuals. (AU)