A stylized graphic of a brain on the left and a molecular structure on the right, with the text 'RSN-LBD' in orange below.

 Resting State Networks-LBD

Affective symptoms in Lewy body disease: Monoaminergic activity and resting state networks

PI: Dr Rachael Lawson

BAM Co-applicant: Dr Laura Wright

Project members: Prof Alan Thomas, Prof John-Paul Taylor

Background:

Mood-related symptoms such as anxiety, apathy and depression are common in Lewy body diseases and are significantly associated with poorer quality of life
The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying affective symptoms are currently unknown
Outline of a brain with a gear in the center, symbolizing mental process or cognition.
A silhouette of a person sitting on a chair with their finger touching a central circle, surrounded by multiple bubbles with icons representing confusion, questions, lightning bolts, and tangled lines.
A stylized illustration of a brain with circuit lines, question marks, exclamation points, and scribbles indicating confusion or complexity. 
Lewy body diseases are typically associated with changes to specific chemical pathways in the brain, which may result in disruptions in several neural networks. Neural network dysfunction may be one potential mechanism underlying affective symptoms

This study aims to:

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Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from three previous studies, this study aims to determine the association between affective symptom severity and functional connectivity between dopaminergic and serotonergic nuclei and the default mode network and limbic network in Lewy body diseases

Funder: Alzheimer’s Research UK

Contact: Dr Laura Wright

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