Resting-state posterior alpha rhythms are abnormal in subjective memory complaint seniors with preclinical Alzheimer's neuropathology and high education level: the INSIGHT-preAD study

Cognitive reserve is present in Alzheimer's disease (AD) seniors with high education attainment making them clinically resilient to extended brain neuropathology and neurodegeneration. Here, we tested whether subjective memory complaint (SMC) seniors with AD neuropathology and high education attainment of the prospective INSIGHT-preAD cohort (Paris) may present abnormal eyes-closed resting state posterior electroencephalographic rhythms around individual alpha frequency peak, typically altered in AD patients. The SMC participants negative to amyloid PET AD markers (SMCneg) with high (over low-moderate) education level showed higher posterior alpha 2 power density (possibly “neuroprotective”). Furthermore, amyloid PET-positive SMC (SMCpos) participants with high (over low-moderate) education level showed higher temporal alpha 3 power density (possibly “neuroprotective”) and lower posterior alpha 2 power density (possibly “compensatory”). This effect may reflect cognitive reserve as no differences in brain gray-white matter, and cognitive functions were observed between these SMCpos/SMCneg subgroups. Preclinical Alzheimer's neuropathology may interact with education attainment and neurophysiological mechanisms generating cortical alpha rhythms around individual alpha frequency peak (i.e., alpha 2 and 3) in quiet wakefulness.