Figure 3: Models of degeneration and observed relationships.
From: Basal forebrain degeneration precedes and predicts the cortical spread of Alzheimer’s pathology
(a,b) Hypothesized volumetric decrease (y axes) due to the spread of pathology over time (x axes) for EC (blue) and Ch4 (purple). Parallel spread model: both regions are affected by pathology at the same time (superimposed trajectories, not pictured). Predictive spread model: one region is affected by pathology before the other (offset trajectories), in either the (a) EC→Ch4 or (b) Ch4→EC model. (c) Pre- to post-baseline degeneration. Smaller T1 volumes in the source region of hypothetical subjects (s1—s3) predict larger volumetric decreases (T1–T3) in the target region (red lines). (d,e) The Ch4→EC model was significant at 1-year (middle) and 2-year intervals (bottom) across the entire sample (n=434). (f) Direct comparisons of the predictive models at one and 2-year intervals (y axis range reflects the horizontal refence lines in d,e). Regression slopes are presented with the 95% CIs and are adjusted relative to covariates of non-interest. **Two-tailed P<0.01; ***two-tailed P<0.001.
