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Associations Between Circadian Timing and White Matter Microstructure
Abstract   Open access   Peer reviewed

Associations Between Circadian Timing and White Matter Microstructure

Lisa S Weimar, Meina Zhang, Eric Axelson, Vincent A Magnotta, Helen J Burgess and Chooza Moon
Alzheimer's & dementia, Vol.20(Suppl 7), e091538
01/09/2025
DOI: 10.1002/alz.091538
PMCID: PMC11716166
url
https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.091538View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Background Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease often exhibit white matter microstructure degenerations observable through diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The circadian system regulates sleep and wake cycles. As people age, sleep and wake cycles can be disrupted, which can worsen sleep quality. Circadian rhythm disruption can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and damage white matter microstructures. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between circadian timing and the structural integrity of white matter among adults. Method Data was collected from 49 later‐life adults (51% female) with mean age 70.4 years (SD = 6.50). Diffusion‐weighted MRI sequences were acquired using a 3.0T scanner. Fractional anisotropy (FA) scalar maps were generated through FSL‐DTIFIT, and the Johns Hopkins University‐ICBM white matter atlas was utilized to assess FA values within white matter tracts. Circadian timing was determined by home‐based dim light melatonin onset (DLMO). A t‐test was used to compare FA values by mean DLMO (17: 46). Result In this preliminary analysis later DLMO time was associated with greater FA values in the corticospinal (Meanearly DLMO = 0.41 (SD = 0.04) vs. Mean later DLMO = 0.44 (SD = 0.04), p = 0.023, uncorrected), right corticospinal (Meanearly DLMO = 0.40 (0.05) vs. Meanlater DLMO = 0.44 (0.04), p = 0.01, uncorrected), left posterior thalamic radiation (Meanearly DLMO = 0.38 (0.03) vs. Meanlater DLMO 0.40 (0.03), p = 0.048, uncorrected), cingulum‐hippocampus (Meanearly DLMO = 0.26 (0.03) vs. Meanlater DLMO = 0.28 (0.03) p = 0.025, uncorrected), and left cingulum‐hippocampus tracts (Meanearly DLMO = 0.26 (0.03) vs. Meanlater DLMO = 0.29 (0.03) p = 0.01, uncorrected). Conclusion This preliminary data demonstrates that abnormally early circadian timing may be associated with reduced white matter integrity in specific tracts. Future research using a larger sample, longitudinal design, and multimodal imaging methods is needed to confirm these findings and identify the mechanisms underlying these associations.

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