Determine the structural integrity of the Nucleus Basalis of Meynert(NBM), and its projections, in people in different stages of Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and Lewy Body Dementia, and explore the effect of sex differences on NBM degeneration, within each of these groups. This was also determined in age-matched healthy controls

We have collated data from 250 participants from two databases: Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative and the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative: 50 ADNI healthy controls (HC), 50 AD-Mild Cognitive Impairment (AD-MCI), 50 AD, 34 PPMI HCs, PD-no MCI, and 50 PD-MCI. Both databases included structural MRIs and neuropsychological batteries. We assessed gray matter volume of the NBM from the T1 image across each of these groups using voxel-based morphometry. For the tract analysis, we extracted the mean diffusivity of the lateral and medial NBM tracts using diffusion tensor imaging. 

There was a significant difference in degeneration between the male and female cohorts, with the male cohort having significantly more deterioration in the NBM, as well as both of its tracts, in both AD and PD, but not healthy controls.