The White Matter Integrity and Functional Connection Differences of Fornix (Cres)/Stria Terminalis in Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment Induced by Occupational Aluminum Exposure

Long-term aluminum (Al) exposure increases the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The aim of the present study was to investigate the neural mechanisms of Al-induced MCI. In our study, a total of 52 individuals with occupational Al exposure >10 years were enrolled and divided into two groups: MCI (Al-MCI) and healthy controls (Al-HC). Plasma Al concentrations and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score were collected for all participants. And diffusion tensor imaging and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging were used to examine changes of white matter (WM) and functional connectivity (FC). There was a negative correlation between MoCA score and plasma Al concentration. Compared with the Al-HC, fractional anisotropy value for the right fornix (cres)/stria terminalis (FX/ST) was higher in the Al-MCI. Furthermore, there was a difference in FC between participants with and without MCI under Al exposure. We defined the regions with differing FC as a "pathway," specifically the connectivity from the right temporal pole to the right FX/ST, then to the right sagittal stratum, and further to the right anterior cingulate and paracingulate gyri and right inferior frontal gyrus, orbital part. In summary, we believe that the observed differences in WM integrity and FC in the right FX/ST between participants with and without MCI under long-term Al exposure may represent the neural mechanisms underlying MCI induced by Al exposure.