Impact of effective connectivity within the Papez circuit on episodic memory: moderation by perivascular space function

Abstract Background and objectives The formation and retrieval of episodic memory is dependent on the coordinated activity of multiple brain regions and neural networks, with the Papez circuit playing a critical role in this process. Recently, the role of the perivascular space (PVS) in cognitive fu...

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Main Authors: Ling-Ling Li, Jie Ma, Jia-Jia Wu, Xin Xue, Mou-Xiong Zheng, Xu-Yun Hua, Qi-Hao Guo, Jian-Guang Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-025-01717-7
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author Ling-Ling Li
Jie Ma
Jia-Jia Wu
Xin Xue
Mou-Xiong Zheng
Xu-Yun Hua
Qi-Hao Guo
Jian-Guang Xu
author_facet Ling-Ling Li
Jie Ma
Jia-Jia Wu
Xin Xue
Mou-Xiong Zheng
Xu-Yun Hua
Qi-Hao Guo
Jian-Guang Xu
author_sort Ling-Ling Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background and objectives The formation and retrieval of episodic memory is dependent on the coordinated activity of multiple brain regions and neural networks, with the Papez circuit playing a critical role in this process. Recently, the role of the perivascular space (PVS) in cognitive function has garnered increasing attention. However, the role of PVS function between neural circuits and cognitive function in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) patients remains unknown. Therefore, this study aims to (1) investigate alterations in the effective connectivity of the Papez circuit and PVS function in patients with aMCI and (2) explore the role of PVS function between the effective connectivity of the Papez circuit and episodic memory. Methods Sixty participants, all of whom underwent multimodal MRI (fMRI, dMRI, and sMRI) and neuropsychological testing, were recruited for this case‒control study. General linear models were used to compare the effective connectivity within the Papez circuit and PVS function between aMCI patients and healthy controls (HCs) and further explore the role of PVS function between the effective connectivity within the Papez circuit and episodic memory. Results The effective connectivity between multiple critical regions within the Papez circuit, notably in the hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex, and parahippocampal gyrus, was significantly weakened in aMCI patients. Moreover, a significant reduction in the along the perivascular space (ALPS) index was observed among aMCI patients, accompanied by a marked increase in PVS volume, indicating significant PVS dysfunction. Further moderation analysis revealed that PVS function moderated the relationship between effective connectivity within the Papez circuit and episodic memory. Conclusions The effective connectivity within the Papez circuit and PVS function are closely related to cognitive function, particularly episodic memory, and enhancing PVS function may serve as a novel therapeutic target for slowing cognitive decline.
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issn 1758-9193
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher BMC
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series Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy
spelling doaj-art-4c5a10c98ebb4a098eda06436655aa5c2025-08-20T02:51:27ZengBMCAlzheimer’s Research & Therapy1758-91932025-03-0117111310.1186/s13195-025-01717-7Impact of effective connectivity within the Papez circuit on episodic memory: moderation by perivascular space functionLing-Ling Li0Jie Ma1Jia-Jia Wu2Xin Xue3Mou-Xiong Zheng4Xu-Yun Hua5Qi-Hao Guo6Jian-Guang Xu7Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineDepartment of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineDepartment of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineDepartment of Gerontology, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineAbstract Background and objectives The formation and retrieval of episodic memory is dependent on the coordinated activity of multiple brain regions and neural networks, with the Papez circuit playing a critical role in this process. Recently, the role of the perivascular space (PVS) in cognitive function has garnered increasing attention. However, the role of PVS function between neural circuits and cognitive function in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) patients remains unknown. Therefore, this study aims to (1) investigate alterations in the effective connectivity of the Papez circuit and PVS function in patients with aMCI and (2) explore the role of PVS function between the effective connectivity of the Papez circuit and episodic memory. Methods Sixty participants, all of whom underwent multimodal MRI (fMRI, dMRI, and sMRI) and neuropsychological testing, were recruited for this case‒control study. General linear models were used to compare the effective connectivity within the Papez circuit and PVS function between aMCI patients and healthy controls (HCs) and further explore the role of PVS function between the effective connectivity within the Papez circuit and episodic memory. Results The effective connectivity between multiple critical regions within the Papez circuit, notably in the hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex, and parahippocampal gyrus, was significantly weakened in aMCI patients. Moreover, a significant reduction in the along the perivascular space (ALPS) index was observed among aMCI patients, accompanied by a marked increase in PVS volume, indicating significant PVS dysfunction. Further moderation analysis revealed that PVS function moderated the relationship between effective connectivity within the Papez circuit and episodic memory. Conclusions The effective connectivity within the Papez circuit and PVS function are closely related to cognitive function, particularly episodic memory, and enhancing PVS function may serve as a novel therapeutic target for slowing cognitive decline.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-025-01717-7Perivascular spaceGlymphatic systemEpisodic memoryModerationEffective connectivityPapez circuit
spellingShingle Ling-Ling Li
Jie Ma
Jia-Jia Wu
Xin Xue
Mou-Xiong Zheng
Xu-Yun Hua
Qi-Hao Guo
Jian-Guang Xu
Impact of effective connectivity within the Papez circuit on episodic memory: moderation by perivascular space function
Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy
Perivascular space
Glymphatic system
Episodic memory
Moderation
Effective connectivity
Papez circuit
title Impact of effective connectivity within the Papez circuit on episodic memory: moderation by perivascular space function
title_full Impact of effective connectivity within the Papez circuit on episodic memory: moderation by perivascular space function
title_fullStr Impact of effective connectivity within the Papez circuit on episodic memory: moderation by perivascular space function
title_full_unstemmed Impact of effective connectivity within the Papez circuit on episodic memory: moderation by perivascular space function
title_short Impact of effective connectivity within the Papez circuit on episodic memory: moderation by perivascular space function
title_sort impact of effective connectivity within the papez circuit on episodic memory moderation by perivascular space function
topic Perivascular space
Glymphatic system
Episodic memory
Moderation
Effective connectivity
Papez circuit
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-025-01717-7
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