Functional Networks: A New Window Into Alzheimer’s Disease Subtypes

Investigating the heterogeneity of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions has become a major research goal as a way to grasp the complexity of these challenging disorders. Understanding how the progression of disease differs in people with the same or similar underlying neuropathology has a range of implications. With the advent of disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, stratifying clinical trial participants by disease subtype can help interpret individual responses to treatment and identify patients who are likely to benefit most from an intervention. More immediately, different subtypes of disease might predict differing disease trajectories for a single person, helping clinicians discuss an individualized prognosis for people with cognitive neurodegenerative diseases and their families. Finally, understanding the differences between disease subtypes could provide a framework to understand disease mechanisms by suggesting distinct etiologies, or at least a different emphasis of disease mechanisms driven by stochastic, environmental, or genetic factors. SEE CORRESPONDING ARTICLE ON PAGE 759 SEE CORRESPONDING ARTICLE ON PAGE 759 Four Distinct Subtypes of Alzheimer’s Disease Based on Resting-State Connectivity BiomarkersBiological PsychiatryVol. 93Issue 9PreviewAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with significant heterogeneity. Different AD phenotypes may be associated with specific brain network changes. Uncovering disease heterogeneity by using functional networks could provide insights into precise diagnoses. Full-Text PDF