A1293
Title: Modeling longitudinal AD pathology with bi-directional network systems for protein deposition and brain activities
Authors: Simiao Gao - Yale University (United States)
Tianxi Li - University of Minnesota (United States)
Yize Zhao - Yale University (United States)
Zhiling Gu - Yale University (United States) [presenting]
Abstract: The pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains incompletely understood, particularly with respect to the interplay between tau protein deposition and brain network connectivity. Clarifying this relationship is essential for improving diagnosis, staging, and progression prediction for AD. The aim is to propose a novel framework to characterize the bidirectional interactions between tau accumulation and brain connectivity over time. This framework is motivated by the reciprocal association whereby tau deposition disrupts functional and structural connectivity, while connectivity patterns influence the spread of tau across regions. The approach provides a new avenue for studying the longitudinal co-evolution of protein pathology and brain networks. Through extensive simulations, the consistency of the proposed estimator is demonstrated. Application of data from the Alzheimer's disease neuroimaging initiative further reveals meaningful associations between tau burden and brain connectivity, offering new insights into disease mechanisms.
