Relationship between a novel learning slope metric and Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers

ABSTRACT

The Learning Ratio (LR) is a novel learning score examining the proportion of information learned over successive learning trials relative to information available to be learned. Validation is warranted to understand LR’s sensitivity to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. One-hundred twenty-three participants across the AD continuum underwent memory assessment, quantitative brain imaging, and genetic analysis. LR scores were calculated from the HVLT-R, BVMT-R, RBANS List Learning, and RBANS Story Memory, and compared to total hippocampal volumes,¹⁸F-Flutemetamol composite SUVR uptake, and APOE ε4 status. Lower LR scores were consistently associated with smaller total hippocampal volumes, greater cerebral β-amyloid deposition, and APOE ε4 positivity. This LR score outperformed a traditional learning slope calculation in all analyses. LR is sensitive to AD pathology along the AD continuum – more so than a traditional raw learning score – and reducing the competition between the first trial and subsequent trials can better depict learning capacity.

KEYWORDS:

• Learning
• learning slope
• Alzheimer’s disease
• mild cognitive impairment
• MRI
• amyloid-PET
• APOE ε4

Disclosure

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The project described was supported by research grants from the National Institutes on Aging: 5R01AG045163. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute on Aging or the National Institutes of Health.