MRI‐assessed locus coeruleus integrity is heritable and associated with cognition, Alzheimer’s risk, and sleep‐wake disturbance

Background The locus coeruleus (LC) is one of the earliest sites of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology, and it experiences extensive neurodegeneration through the disease course. The LC has long been associated with arousal and the sleep‐wake cycle, which are commonly disrupted in AD. Recent research implicates the LC in modulating cognitive function, suggesting an additional path by which LC dysfunction can contribute to cognitive decline in...