Different functional connectivity gradients reflect aging and Alzheimer's disease
Nature Neuroscience, 2026 (online ahead of print) · October 2026
This study examines how aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) reshape the brain’s large-scale functional organisation, using connectivity gradients derived from resting-state fMRI in two independent cohorts.
Key Findings:
- AD follows the sensory–association axis: early AD pathology and cognitive decline were linked to connectivity changes along the gradient running from sensory to association cortex.
- Aging follows the representation–executive axis: age-related changes throughout adulthood aligned with a separate gradient.
- Orthogonal pathways: AD and aging alter major but orthogonal functional pathways in the brain, helping to separate disease effects from normal aging.
Recommended citation: Rittmo, J., Franzmeier, N., Strandberg, O., Chauveau, L., Satterthwaite, T.D., Wisse, L.E.M., Spotorno, N., Behjat, H.H., Dehsarvi, A., van Westen, D., Anijärv, T.E., Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Landau, S.M., Palmqvist, S., Janelidze, S., Stomrud, E., Ossenkoppele, R., Mattsson-Carlgren, N., Hansson, O., Vogel, J.W. (2026). Different functional connectivity gradients reflect aging and Alzheimer’s disease. Nature Neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-026-02402-0
Recommended citation
Rittmo, J., Franzmeier, N., Strandberg, O., Chauveau, L., Satterthwaite, T.D., Wisse, L.E.M., Spotorno, N., Behjat, H.H., Dehsarvi, A., van Westen, D., Anijärv, T.E., Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Landau, S.M., Palmqvist, S., Janelidze, S., Stomrud, E., Ossenkoppele, R., Mattsson-Carlgren, N., Hansson, O., Vogel, J.W. (2026). Different functional connectivity gradients reflect aging and Alzheimer's disease. Nat Neurosci. doi: 10.1038/s41593-026-02402-0.