Cholinergic degeneration in the basal forebrain (BF) plays a crucial role in Alzheimer’s disease. In the present study, reduced BF volumes and damaged BF-associated tracts were observed in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) compared to those with normal aging. Correlation and mediation analyses highlighted that volume reductions in the BF mainly accounted for deficits in global cognition, memory, and visuospatial ability, while disruption in BF-cortical tracts mainly contributed to executive and processing speed dysfunction. Collectively, this study may provide a better understanding of BF damage underlying cognitive impairment and provide guidance for intervention targets in MCI patients.
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